Media Contact:
Alex Frantz, Communications Director
Vermont Department of Mental Health
802-904-3043
DMH Extends ‘Starting Over Strong Vermont’ Program for Flood Recovery
Support for Vermonters impacted by flooding continues through July 2025
WATERBURY, VT – The Vermont Department of Mental Health (DMH) will continue its Starting Over Strong Vermont program through July 2025 to provide ongoing mental health and community outreach services for individuals affected by the 2024 flooding events. The program now offers a phone line that connects Vermonters in Chittenden, Washington, Addison, Lamoille, Essex, Caledonia, and Orleans counties to mental health and flood recovery services in their communities.
Launched in 2023, the Starting Over Strong Vermont program served over 14,000 participants across seven contracted agencies in its first year. Originally set to end in October 2024, the program has been extended for an additional nine months due to additional funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in response to flooding in 2024.
The program helps individuals and communities recover from disasters by offering free, anonymous support delivered by trained outreach workers. Outreach workers offer emotional support, coping strategies, and resource connections, along with short-term individual and group sessions, referrals to services, and community networking to strengthen local support systems.
“Vermonters have shown incredible resilience in the face of the past two years of flooding. But resilience doesn’t mean recovery is quick or easy,” said Emily Hawes, DMH Commissioner. “Healing is a journey, and access to continuing support is crucial—not just immediately after a disaster but throughout the recovery process.”
If you or someone you know needs support—or if you’d like a Starting Over Strong Vermont outreach worker to attend your next community event or gathering—call 802-651-1767 (802-651-1SOS). The phone line is available Monday through Friday, during regular business hours, callers outside of those hours may leave a voicemail for a return call the next business day. For urgent mental health needs, dial 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
To learn more about Starting Over Strong Vermont services and providers, visit the Vermont Department of Mental Health’s Starting Over Strong Vermont webpage:
Click here to access the DMH Starting Over Strong Vermont Webpage
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The media plays an important role in preventing suicide. Best-practice reporting guidance is available at FacingSuicideVT.com.
Suicide is preventable, and help is available. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, you can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to be connected with a trained crisis counselor. To get help, give help, and join Vermont's suicide prevention efforts, visit FacingSuicideVT.com.
About the Department of Mental Health
Vermont Department of Mental Health (DMH) has a critical mission to improve the conditions and well-being of all Vermonters across the state and protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Visit mentalhealth.vermont.gov