In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing concerns regarding its impacts upon mental health, Vermont was awarded the first part of a Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
DMH and VT Care Partners partnered to receive the grant which will assist individuals and communities with their mental well-being as they navigate the impacts of COVID-19. The CCP enables short-term support to assist Vermonters in mitigating their stress, developing coping strategies, seeking emotional support, and encouraging linkages with other community based agencies that can help them with their mental health and well-being.
The COVID Support VT Program’s intent is to augment the existing mental health system by providing more broad reaching public education about how to manage stress to prevent more significant mental health distress. COVID Support VT is for anyone needing emotional support to deal with stressful circumstances resulting from the pandemic.
The services available through COVID Support VT are designed to help those suffering from the pandemic by connecting them to
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resources for mental and emotional well-being,
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local and national helplines, most of which are available 24/7;
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accessible and easy-to-access education and helpful tips on coping with the effects of the pandemic, and
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connections to community organizations that provide crucial services.
Future services may include
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crisis counselors to provide individual brief support counseling and connections to community resources, through a single call center;
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virtual group counseling, and
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ongoing education and outreach tailored to support the emotional well-being of Vermonters.
Learn more by visiting the COVID Support VT website or see the official press release here.