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New Hampshire youth mental health survey shows promise

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New Hampshire youth mental health survey shows promise


CONCORD, N.H. (WCAX) – Teens in New Hampshire are making progress when it comes to their mental health– that’s according to a new survey.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the CDC, administered the survey to thousands of high school students from across the state. Questions ranged from drug and alcohol use to bullying, sexual activity and even access to pornography.

Results show that compared to the previous study conducted in 2022, fewer kids in New Hampshire feel sad and lonely, and fewer have thoughts of suicide.

“So this tells us that some of the investment in our community are working but now is not the time to take our foot off the gas. We need schools and health care providers and caring adults to support all of our kids. Mental health challenges are real but they are often treatable and preventable,” said Patricia Tilley of the N.H. Health and Human Services Department.

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While New Hampshire teens are vaping less, 20% say they’ve smoked marijuana in the last 30 days and 23% had at least one alcoholic drink.

The survey also found that 75% of kids across the Granite State spend at least three hours a day on their phones.

Anyone struggling with their mental health can call 988 for help.



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New Hampshire

3.8 magnitude earthquake off York, Maine coastline rattles Seacoast

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3.8 magnitude earthquake off York, Maine coastline rattles Seacoast


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A magnitude 3.8 earthquake struck 10 miles off the coast of York, Maine on Monday.

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The earthquake was recorded at 10:22 a.m. on Monday and was about 10 kilometers southeast of York Harbor, according to USGS. It shook at a depth of 13.2 km. There is no tsunami danger from this earthquake.

The earthquake was originally reported as a 4.1 magnitude quake by USGS and then downgraded.

People across New Hampshire reported feeling the earthquake.

The New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) said that New Hampshire 911 did not receive any calls about injury or damage as of 10:45 a.m. They encouraged residents to be prepared for all types of hazards, including earthquakes.

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“Include all hazards when you are creating a family emergency plan,” said HSEM Director Robert Buxton. “You should also hold regular drills to practice what to do during an earthquake. It’s the best way to keep you and your family safe.”

Local schools, fire departments react

Staff at Mary C. Dondero Elementary School in Portsmouth, New Hampshire pulled the fire alarm after shaking began and had the entire school briefly evacuate, according to superintendent of schools Zach McLaughlin. No other school in Portsmouth evacuated during the course of the earthquake.

“The reality is, as New Englanders, many of whom have lived here our whole lives, this might be everybody’s first earthquake experience,” McLaughlin said Monday morning. “I think folks did the right thing but once it was clear that we were in good condition, folks returned to the building.” 

City school department officials have not found any property damage in any of the school buildings thus far in the wake of the quake, McLaughlin added.

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Portsmouth Fire Department Chief Bill McQuillen reported there had been no calls regarding personal injuries or property damage as of approximately 11 a.m. Monday. 

The city sent out alerts to residents and automated messages urging any personal injuries or structural damages to be reported to authorities.

“We wanted to try and get out the word as quickly as possible and make sure the city sent out a message as soon as possible,” McQuillen said.

Over the Piscataqua River, calls were made to Kittery, Maine’s fire department but no injuries were reported and no property damage had been found.

“Our dispatch center took a lot of calls from concerned citizens reporting that they think something happened at their property,” Kittery fire Chief Craig Alfis stated. “So far everything has stabilized out and our dispatchers are back to normal operation. We haven’t been out on a call in 15 minutes so fingers crossed we’re past that.”

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No calls had been made expressing concern about the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, per Alfis. 

“Reports are coming in from various parts of town about noticeable shaking. We are aware of the earthquake and are actively assessing impacts. Please only contact public safety dispatch if you have an emergency,” the town of Kittery advised in an email.

Where was the NH earthquake? How far did it reach?

According to the USGS, Monday morning’s earthquake originated off the southeast coast of York Harbor, Maine.

York Harbor is about 10 miles north of the New Hampshire border.

Light shaking from the earthquake was felt as far south as Cape Cod, according to the USGS, though some people in Rhode Island also reported feeling the earthquake.

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How strong was the NH earthquake?

Monday’s earthquake is being measured at 3.8 on the magnitude scale, according to the USGS.

According to Michigan Tech, earthquake magnitudes between 2.5-5.4 are often felt but typically only cause minor damage. Earthquake magnitudes measured at 7.0 and higher are considered major earthquakes.

How common are earthquakes in NH?

New Hampshire has a moderate earthquake risk based on its position in the North American plate: according to a 2019 fact sheet from the NH Department of Environmental Services, there have been 65 earthquakes above magnitude 2.1 since 1638.

New Hampshire’s earthquake risk rating is based on frequency rather than intensity.

What was the biggest earthquake in NH history?

While earthquakes in New Hampshire tend to be smaller, there have been similar magnitude earthquakes in the past, such as a 4.0 magnitude quake in Southern Maine in 2012 and another near Laconia in 1982.

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The strongest earthquakes with an epicenter in New Hampshire in state history happened four days apart in December of 1940. Each had a magnitude of 5.8.

This story will be updated.



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Looking Back: The Indian Stream commissioners conclude that New Hampshire can rule the territory

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Looking Back: The Indian Stream commissioners conclude that New Hampshire can rule the territory





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New Hampshire

Two Snow Systems Heading To New Hampshire This Week: Forecasters

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Two Snow Systems Heading To New Hampshire This Week: Forecasters


CONCORD, NH — Weather forecasters are predicting two snowstorm systems will move into the region, but they are not expecting significant accumulation.

On Sunday morning, the National Weather Service issued a “hazardous weather outlook” for the state, warning that snowstorms were expected on Tuesday and Wednesday. The first storm will bring “heavy snow showers or snow squalls” with the passing cold front.

“In addition,” the alert said, “westerly wind gusts between 35-45 mph are possible.”

No snow accumulation for Tuesday was posted in the alert.

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AccuWeather.com, however, said the Tuesday system had a 63 percent of delivering “a coasting to an inch” to Concord and the capital region sometime between 4 and 10 a.m. In Nashua and southern New Hampshire, including Salem and inland Rockingham County, there is an 81 percent chance of “little to no accumulation.” No snow is expected on the Seacoast.

For Wednesday, NWS forecasters said, “There is the potential for a light to moderate snowfall on Wednesday from a clipper system.” Snow accumulation amounts were published.

On Monday, expect mostly cloudy skies, highs in the mid-30s, and lows in the mid-20s, with wind gusts up to 30 mph.

On Tuesday, snow is expected before the afternoon, and then the sun reappears. Temps will be in the upper 20s and into the teens at night. Wind gusts could be as high as 35 mph.

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Snow is expected in the early and late morning on Wednesday, with highs near 30 and overnight lows in the single digits.

As a cold front moves into the state on Thursday, temps will drop into the teens during the day and near zero during the evening.

Similar weather is expected on Friday.

The most up-to-date weather is available on every Patch.com site in the United States. This includes the 14 New Hampshire Patch news and community websites for Amherst, Bedford, Concord, Exeter, Hampton, Londonderry, Manchester, Merrimack, Milford, Nashua, North Hampton, Portsmouth, Salem, Windham, and Across NH. Patch posts local weather reports for New Hampshire every Sunday and Wednesday and publishes alerts as needed.

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