Nashua Emergency Hero: Hero helps those cope with mental illnesses

Susan Mead, communication educator and outreach director at the Greater Nashua Mental Health Center, received 16 nominations for tirelessly focusing her time and energy to address the issues of those who suffer from mental disabilities. On a daily basis, Mead makes it her duty to help those with what she calls, “severe, persistent mental illnesses.” She calls herself a “back-door therapist.” As part of the Community Connections Program, which Mead created to achieve a better sense of communication throughout the community, she looks to help those who are homeless or who get in trouble with the law. “Sometimes, they tend to be victims and that’s unfortunate,” Mead said. “And that’s the sad part.” She works closely with police and the court system, and promotes awareness about mental illness and its affects on people and the community. Her many meetings involve training law enforcement to recognize mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or depression, and how they can help. “We tend to fear what we don’t understand,” Mead said. Mead said she has been able to save about 300 people from jail and redirect them into treatment. “Different people have different coping skills,” Mead said.