The Mental Health Initiative is currently focused on the following projects; each project aligns with our priority areas of Youth Mental Health, Workforce Development and Suicide Prevention.
Pathways to Wellbeing: High School to College
Facilitated by: Marie Frietze
Priority Area: Youth Mental Health
Many high school age students benefit from mental health supports that aren’t connected to post-secondary services in college or with future employers. This project aims to reduce barriers to mental health supports as youth transition into their post-secondary lives.
This project is in the *development* phase.
Measurable Goal: Pilot project established between high school and college by Summer, 2024
Strengthening Our Community Through Protective Factors
Facilitated by: Alex Lehning
Priority Areas: Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
By increasing the number of upstream, community-based interventions, we are strengthening our ability to provide sub-acute care before a mental health challenge becomes a crisis. This project includes increasing the number of Mental Health First Aid trainers in Vermont, and amplifying support for Mental Health Peer Support Specialists and Behavioral Health Technicians, and other, similar positions.
This project is in the *implementation* phase.
Measurable Goal: Doubling the number of Mental Health First Aid trainers by Summer, 2024.
Mapping the Mental Health System of Care
Facilitated by: Steven Berbeco
Priority Area: Workforce Development
We are developing a data-based visualization of the mental health system of care that can help policymakers to identify and respond to gaps and bottlenecks in providing appropriate and timely services and care.
This project is in the *implementation* phase.
Measurable Goal: Development of map with updated numbers of providers by Summer, 2024
Building Out Suicide Prevention Resources
Facilitated by: Alex Lehning
Priority Area: Suicide Prevention
Leaders of schools and other youth organizations have expressed a need for timely and relevant resources for suicide prevention, including training for staff and students. This project will meet this demand by developing clear and useful materials based for immediate use.
This project is in the *development* phase.
Measurable Goal: Materials developed, tested, and distributed by Summer, 2024
Making Room for Wellness: Stand-Alone Pods for Youth Therapy
Facilitated by: Thomas Moore
Priority Area: Youth Mental Health
We are supporting the installation in schools of stand-alone private rooms, or “pods,” that can provide a much-needed solution for private therapeutic space for youth to meet with a therapist during school hours.
This project is in the *development* phase.
Measurable Goal: Installation of pod by Spring, 2024