Senator Hassan Recognizes Lt. Stephen Holmes of Candia as July’s Granite Stater of the Month

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Lt. Stephen Holmes of Candia as July’s Granite Stater of the Month. Stephen, a Marine Corps veteran and a fire fighter, is working to destigmatize mental health among first responders by visiting New Hampshire fire departments and sharing his own experience dealing with PTSD.

At age seventeen, Stephen enlisted in the Marine Corps infantry and went on to serve three tours of duty in Iraq. On his return home four years later, he wanted to continue helping others through public service and decided to join the Exeter Fire Department. However, it soon became clear that he was struggling with serious symptoms of anxiety, depression, and anger, and he was diagnosed with PTSD at the Manchester VA.

Stephen took a leave of absence from the Exeter Fire Department due to his mental health, and during this time, Stephen’s wife gave him a book on meditation, which turned out to be his saving grace. After returning to the Exeter Fire Department, he wanted to use the lessons he had learned to shed more light on the issue of first responders’ mental health. With the help of other Fire and EMS professionals, Stephen began visiting one fire station after another to share his mental health struggles and the importance of seeking care. Already, many of his peers have started receiving mental health treatment, Stephen’s story having provided the push that they needed and the validation that it is okay to need help.

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 Lt. Stephen Holmes of Candia as July’s Granite Stater of the Month. Stephen, a Marine Corps veteran and a fire fighter, is working to destigmatize mental health among first responders by visiting New Hampshire fire departments and sharing his own experience dealing with PTSD.

At age seventeen, Stephen enlisted in the Marine Corps infantry and went on to serve three tours of duty in Iraq. On his return home four years later, he wanted to continue helping others through public service and decided to join the Exeter Fire Department. However, it soon became clear that he was struggling with serious symptoms of anxiety, depression, and anger, and he was diagnosed with PTSD at the Manchester VA.

Stephen took a leave of absence from the Exeter Fire Department due to his mental health, and during this time, Stephen’s wife gave him a book on meditation, which turned out to be his saving grace. After trying many other therapeutic techniques recommended by his doctors, Stephen found that meditation worked best for him to help him feel at peace.

Stephen did not stop there. After returning to the Exeter Fire Department, he wanted to use the lessons he had learned to shed more light on the issue of first responders’ mental health. With the help of other Fire and EMS professionals, Stephen began visiting one fire station after another to share his mental health struggles and the importance of seeking care. Already, many of his peers have started receiving mental health treatment, Stephen’s story having provided the push that they needed and the validation that it is okay to need help.

Many first responders might believe that they cannot seek help, since they are the ones that the rest of us rely on in a crisis. However, first responders often need mental health care precisely because of how high-pressure their jobs are and the suffering that they see. Which is why Stephen’s work is all the more important—he is sharing his firsthand experiences, breaking down stigma, and letting first responders know that it is okay to seek the care that they need. Stephen exemplifies the Granite State spirit of commitment to community and person-to-person advocacy to bring about positive change. I am deeply grateful, as I know his fellow first responders are, for his bravery and compassion in sharing his personal experiences, and I look forward to seeing how he continues to change people’s lives.

###