Senator Hassan Recognizes Avah Fiske of Loudon as February’s Granite Stater of the Month

Senator Hassan Recognizes Avah Fiske of Loudon as February's Granite Stater of the Month

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Avah Fiske of Loudon as February's Granite Stater of the Month. Avah has advocated for mental health awareness since her 12-year-old brother Ryan died by suicide in 2020, when Avah was just six years old. Although her family was stunned by this tragedy, Avah has, as her mom says, risen like a phoenix from the ashes and worked to make a difference for other families.

Avah plans to one day start her own organization to build awareness around mental health, but in the meantime, she has written and recorded public service announcements for her local radio station encouraging people to reach out to youth mental health services and the 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. She regularly presents information on youth mental health and the 988 lifeline at health fairs and community events. Avah's compassion and dedication to her community are why Senator Hassan named her February's Granite Stater of the Month.

The 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a confidential, free resource for individuals in mental health crisis. You can call, text, or chat the number at any time to be connected with a mental health professional.

Senator Hassan launched the "Granite Stater of the Month" initiative in 2017 to recognize outstanding New Hampshire citizens who go above and beyond to help their neighbors and make their communities stronger. To nominate a New Hampshire citizen to be a "Granite Stater of the Month," constituents can complete the nomination form here.

To read Senator Hassan's statement for the Congressional Record, see below.

I am honored to recognize Avah Fiske of Loudon as February's Granite Stater of the Month. Since her brother Ryan died by suicide, Avah has advocated for mental health awareness and made New Hampshire a better and safer place.

Avah's older brother Ryan died by suicide in 2020 at age 12, when Avah was just six years old. Avah's entire family was stunned by the tragedy, especially because they had never heard Ryan talk about his struggles. But Avah has turned this pain into purpose - or, as her mom puts it, she has risen like a phoenix from the ashes - and she's dedicated herself to helping people talk about their feelings in order to prevent similar tragedies from happening to other families.

Avah wrote and recorded four public service announcements for her local radio station, encouraging people to reach out to youth mental health resources and the 988 National Suicide Crisis Lifeline. She also walked in the annual Out of Darkness Walk hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and she regularly presents information on youth mental health and the 988 lifeline at health fairs and community events.

Avah's work is not done, and she is committed to continuing to educate Granite State families about mental health resources. Avah even plans to one day start her own organization to build awareness around mental health. In the meantime, she plans to record more PSAs and keep spreading the word.

Avah's determination to carry on her brother's memory and use her loss to help other families is a beautiful example of the Granite State spirit of community. Her compassion, even at such a young age, is why I am honored to name her February's Granite Stater of the Month.

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