😍 H.E.A.R.T.S. February Newsletter💌

February 2026

Our Mission...

Our mission as peers is to support one another as people who are challenged by the daily effects of life with, coping with, and recovering from mental health challenges.

Everyone is encouraged to develop greater awareness of personal and relational patterns, and to support and challenge each other through Peer Support, Self-Advocacy, Empowerment, and Education.

Our ultimate goal is to achieve recovery and ongoing wellness!

Mental and emotional health involves managing thoughts, emotions, and behaviors effectively. People with good mental and emotional health often exhibit the following traits:

Emotional resilience: The ability to recover quickly from setbacks.
Self-awareness: Recognizing and understanding personal emotions and their impact.
Healthy relationships: Building and maintaining supportive social connections.
Coping skills: Managing stress with effective problem-solving techniques.
Optimism: Maintaining a positive outlook even during challenges.

These traits are essential for navigating daily stressors and enhancing overall well-being.

February comes from the Latin word februa, which means “to cleanse.”

February 2 is Groundhog Day—the day we find out whether winter will last 6 more weeks or call it quits early.

How Many Days Are in February?
It depends! February is the only month to have a length of fewer than 30 days! It’s usually 28 days, though February is 29 days long in leap years such as 2028.

On average, February is the United States’ snowiest month, according to data from the National Weather Service.

February’s Birth Flower

Even though so many roses are sold during February due to Valentine’s Day, the violet and the primrose are the symbolic flowers.

The violet signifies watchfulness, loyalty, and faithfulness. Give a violet to someone to let them know that you’ll always be there for them.

🎉

Introducing Our New Groups

With the new year starting, H.E.A.R.T.S. would like to introduce our new group themes we are offering for 2026. We will be implementing these new groups starting in February.

COFFEE TALK - This is our morning kick-off group. Participants enjoy some coffee/tea and snacks while sharing something positive. It can be something that happened to them personally, something they may have seen/heard or even something that happened to someone else. The idea is to get our minds seeking positive things.

BEST PART OF YOUR DAY - This group closes out our day at the center. We intentionally seek out the good and best things that we experienced during the day no matter what may have occurred. Stressing that even though we may not be able to see the good in a situation, trusting that something good will always be a result.

JOB READINESS WORKSHOP - In this group we will support each other with employment search, resume writing, interview role plays and support with interview attire.

MINDSET - In this group we explore the different ways to stay focused, find the positive in challenging situations, seek to grow as individuals and community, and improve our overall perspective and worldview.

MINDFUL MOVEMENT - Here we will increase our awareness of the relationship between mind and body with some gentle movements/exercises.

MUSIC SOOTHES THE SOUL - Science proves that music is a very powerful motivator and determinant of mood and behavior. In this group we will share some individual choices and discuss how and why it impacts us the way it does.

POWER OF WORDS - This group will serve to bring attention to different forms of communication, conflict resolution and de-escalation, and the profound impact on our mindset, beliefs and outcomes via NLP (Neuro-linguistic programming).

BRAINY FOOD - This will precede our usual shopping/pantry time. We will recognize and discuss the ways in which food, what we eat, impacts our brain and bodies.

FINANCIAL SKILLS WITH SHEWANDA - We are grateful that Shewanda Lopez of Wanderlust will be sharing some strategies around budgeting and money management with the members. This will be a 12-week series.

CREATIVE COLORING WITH KAY - Staff member and Peer Support Specialist Kendra will be leading this group where members will explore their creative sides while practicing mindfulness.

HEALTHY CONNECTIONS WITH AMY - Center and respite program manager and Peer Support Specialist Amy will facilitate this group to discuss cultivating and navigating healthy connections, supports and relationships.

CONSIDERING RECOVERY - Peer Support Specialist Jeremiah will engage with the members to discuss the journey of ongoing wellness as it pertains to recovery (healing) with substance misuse, mental health challenges and co-occurring challenges.

BRAIN BOOSTER - During this group, members will engage in some simple but effective cognitive challenges via trivia, word games and word problems.

JOURNALING WITH JEFF - Peer Support Specialist Jeff will facilitate this group where members will be given the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings, and/or do some creative writing. This is an exercise in mindfulness and a healthy outlet to release whatever needs to be released.

WHY???? - This group will look to identify, recognize and redirect some of our unhealthy thought patterns based on limiting beliefs and cognitive distortions.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES - This group will discuss and share resources, connections and events in our community.

COLOR ME CONTEST

February 2nd Groundhog Day

February 13th Members Meeting 12:30 pm

February 14th (CLOSED) Valentine’s Day

February 16th Presidents Day

February 17th NH Peer Alliance group

February 19th Board Meeting 5:00 pm

Open Full Calendar

January Highlights

Ten Pin Bowling
in Merrimack

The PLUS Company’s Kelly Ehrhart, represented New Hampshire at the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) Policy Summit and Hill Day in Washington, D.C. There, she had the opportunity to meet with U.S. Senators to discuss vital issues, including the importances of person-centered planning in helping individuals with disabilities to achieve their goals.

Kelly has been a long time Member at HEARTS PSC. She is also is a peer member of the GNMHC Advisory Board.

“It was important for me to attend as I was advocation for the developmental disability community and the mental health community,” Kelly said. “I advocated for affordable housing, quality health care, transportation, and jobs for people with disabilities.”

Thank you, Kelly, for being such a strong advocate for the disability community.

Our Residential Program

Here at H.E.A.R.T.S., we offer two residential programs:

1. Crisis Respite Program
A 6-night, 7-day stay for individuals who may be experiencing an emotional crisis or mental health challenge.
It’s designed as an alternative to hospitalization and is staffed and supported 24/7 by peers with lived experience.

2. Step-Up Step-Down Program
A transformational, transitional living opportunity for individuals seeking a longer-term, safe environment to develop life skills, enhance coping strategies, and prepare for independent living.
This program generally lasts 30 to 120 days.

Participants in both programs are free to come and go, enabling them to continue working, seek employment, and build supportive networks with friends, family, and mutual-aid groups.

♥ www.HEARTS-PSA.org ♥

RESOURCES

📞 Call the center: 603-882-8400
🌙 Warmline: 1-800-306-4334 (available nightly 5–10 pm)
📍 Location: 5 Pine St. Ext., Suite 1G, Nashua
🕗 Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 am–5:00 pm | Fri 8:00 am–4:00 pm
📱 NH Rapid Response: 1-833-710-6477 (call or text)
🆘 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
🌐 NH Community Resources: 211
🚐 Rides to and from are available most days — call the center by 8:30 am.

(scan to visit our calendar!)

At HEARTS Peer Support Centers, we believe in the power of shared experiences. Our mission is to provide a safe, understanding, and transformative environment where individuals can navigate their wellness journey through peer-led support.

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5 Pine Street Extension
Suite 1G
Nashua, New Hampshire 03060
USA