RYE– Fred Poisson, the executive director of Connections Peer Support, was recently awarded the Erik Cogswell Award from Seacoast Mental Health Center.

The award was established in partnership with Ed and Karin Cogswell who lost their son, Erik, to suicide in 1999. Since 2009, the award is presented annually to recognize an individual for their outstanding contributions to help improve the lives of people living with bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses.

Recent past recipients include Tom Raffio, president and CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, Charlie Olsen, the 2021 New Hampshire’s Kid Governor, and Justin Spencer, founder of Chaos and Kindness.

Poisson has been the executive director of Connections Peer Support for a little over two years, and since then he has doubled donations and fiscal partnerships, increased Portsmouth center membership by over 35 percent, and has been a fundamental part of numerous community mental health initiatives, such as the Portsmouth Mental Health Alliance.

On top of his work with Connections Peer Support, Poisson volunteers with Connor’s Climb Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides suicide prevention education to trusted adults within the State of NH. He has facilitated numerous trainings to different school districts across the state.

“I am very grateful to have received this award and I understand and hold close the responsibility that goes along with an honor of this sort,” said Poisson. “I am grateful to the Cogswells for sharing the gift and light of their son with the world for change, and I am grateful to Seacoast Mental Health Center for choosing me as someone who is worthy of such an honor.”

About Connections Peer Support

Connections Peer Support offers an alternative or complement to traditional treatments for mental health issues by promoting the health, wellness, and recovery of its members through groups and educational opportunities.