Suicide Prevention Supporter Trespassed From Concord Prevention Event

CONCORD, NH — A state employee involved in suicide prevention for the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services was trespassed from the state’s suicide prevention event in Concord on Thursday.

The NH Suicide Prevention Council, a consortium of organizations connected to DHHS, is holding its 20th annual conference at the Grappone Conference Center. The event, with a theme of “Community Conversations: Empowering Everyday Helpers,” featured Dennis Gillan, a motivational speaker who attended the event five years ago. The event also promoted “inclusivity and accessibility,” as well as resources and training.

One person who was not welcomed was Samantha Captain, a NH DHHS employee who was protesting outside of the event, saying the state was not doing enough to prevent suicides. Every 31 hours, she said, a person in New Hampshire takes their own life. Captain, who is currently on leave, accused the state of pushing her out of her job due to reforms she was trying to implement — including involving more people with lived experiences into the process.

An employee from the conference center requested the police to remove Captain. Two officers showed up and spoke with her. She was then given trespass paperwork.

The area where Captain was protesting, the conference center and Horseshoe Pond complex, are private property. The sidewalks around both locations, however, are not. Most protests, during prior events at the hotel, have been held on the sidewalk.

After being trespassed from the area, Captain moved to the sidewalk.

Employees of NH DHHS involved in the prevention council did not return requests for comment at post time.

Kathleen Remillard, one of the department’s public information officers, said the department was unaware of a decision to remove anyone from the event. She also said the event was not a DHHS event.

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