Patrick Connor Dowling

Patrick Dowling is a dedicated mental health advocate, public speaker, crisis intervention educator, and community writer who has spent more than seven years advancing awareness, education, and reform in behavioral health care throughout New Hampshire. Driven by a passion for improving the lives of individuals experiencing mental health challenges, he has become a respected voice in the advocacy community, promoting compassionate, effective, and evidence-based approaches to crisis response and mental health support. Since November 2025, Patrick has also served as a writer for his local newspaper, The Bradford Bridge, using the platform to engage community members in conversations surrounding mental health, recovery, and social well-being.

Patrick's advocacy efforts focus on strengthening behavioral health systems and improving crisis intervention services. He has actively supported New Hampshire Senate legislation designed to reduce the use of restraints during psychiatric emergencies while promoting greater awareness and accessibility of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Through policy engagement, community outreach, and public education, he works to ensure that individuals facing mental health crises receive dignified, person-centered care and support. His contributions to mental health advocacy have been recognized through the 2019 Erik Cogswell Memorial Award from Seacoast Pathways and the 2020 NAMI National Young Leader Award.

For the past five years, Patrick has served as a public speaker within Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training programs, educating law enforcement officers, first responders, and community professionals on de-escalation techniques and compassionate response strategies. He is also a regular participant in the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) New Hampshire's "In Our Own Voice" program, where he shares his lived experiences to help reduce stigma, foster understanding, and encourage open conversations about mental health. His contributions as a guest speaker at CIT workshops have helped strengthen collaboration between behavioral health advocates and public safety professionals.

Patrick earned an Integrated Behavioral Health Certificate from the University of New Hampshire, further enhancing his expertise in behavioral health systems and community-based mental health initiatives. His journey into advocacy began in 2018 after hearing a powerful TEDx presentation by Cecilia McGough titled "I'm Not a Monster," which inspired him to become actively involved in mental health awareness efforts. He began this work alongside his mother, whose encouragement and dedication helped shape his commitment to advocacy and service.

Following the passing of his mother in May 2026, Patrick has continued to honor her legacy through his ongoing work in mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and behavioral health reform. He is scheduled to speak at the Addiction and Behavioral Health Global Conference in Boston, Massachusetts, and remains committed to expanding his impact as a professional speaker. Looking ahead, Patrick aspires to share his message nationally and internationally, advocating for mental health reform, reducing stigma, and promoting more humane and effective crisis response systems for individuals and communities around the world.

• Integrated Behavioral Health Certificate, University of New Hampshire (UNH), New Hampshire

• Integrated Behavioral Health Certificate (UNH)

• 2019: Erik Cogswell Memorial Award (Seacoast Pathways; Seabrook, NH)
• 2020: NAMI National Young Leader Award

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) New Hampshire
• In Our Own Voice Program (NAMI NH)
• Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training Programs (Guest Speaker)

• In Our Own Voice storytelling through NAMI New Hampshire
• Mental health advocacy in New Hampshire state Senate policy initiatives
• Crisis intervention training for law enforcement and community responders
• Public speaking through NAMI New Hampshire storytelling programs
• Suicide prevention awareness and 988 Lifeline advocacy
• Behavioral health education and community outreach
• Supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, children’s aid in Gaza, and NAMI New Hampshire.

Mental health advocate and public speaker in crisis intervention training programs Contributor to NAMI New Hampshire “In Our Own Voice” storytelling initiative Speaker on suicide prevention and mental health system reform Upcoming speaker at the Addiction and Behavioral Health Global Conference (Boston, MA)

Letter: Potential future suburbs - Letter: Potential future suburbs - Concord Monitor

Letter: Mental health crisis calls - Letter: Mental health crisis calls - Concord Monitor

State mental health plan praised at hearing amid concerns about funding - State mental health plan praised at hearing amid concerns about funding - Concord Monitor

Despite new process, mental health emergency hearings remain flawed -Despite new process, mental health emergency hearings remain flawed - Concord Monitor

Year in review: State restructures its mental health system - Year in review: State restructures its mental health system - Concord Monitor

Window on Mental Illness - Window on Mental Illness - NAMI New Hampshire