For Immediate Release: March 18, 2025
Media Contact:
Alex Frantz, Communications Director
Vermont Department of Mental Health
802-904-3043
DMH Establishes Vermont’s First Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention
Center for Health and Learning and Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care to Lead Suicide Prevention Efforts Across the State
Waterbury, VT – The Vermont Department of Mental Health (DMH) has selected the Center for Health and Learning (CHL) and the Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care (VPQHC) to lead Vermont’s first Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention. The Center of Excellence is part of the state’s Strategic Plan for Suicide Prevention. Its purpose is to bring healthcare providers and community partners together to create consistency, develop best practices, and provide support and guidance in suicide prevention.
“Suicide is preventable. The Center of Excellence is about bringing healthcare and community efforts together to save lives,” said DMH Commissioner Emily Hawes. “We’re making sure people get the support they need—whether they’re at the doctor’s office, in school, or in their community.”
CHL and VPQHC were selected to lead the Center of Excellence based on their expertise in suicide prevention. Each organization will focus on a specific area of this work:
VPQHC will lead suicide prevention efforts in healthcare settings using the Zero Suicide framework. This includes providing tools like safety planning and resources for managing suicidality, as well as promoting the safe storage of firearms and medications. “The Center of Excellence will drive lasting change in suicide prevention across the healthcare system,” said VPQHC Executive Director Hillary Wolfley. “By providing training and resources, we’re equipping providers to deliver compassionate, life-saving care.”
CHL will focus on suicide prevention efforts in community settings, including leading the Vermont Suicide Prevention Coalition, tracking progress on the State Strategic Plan for Suicide Prevention, and expanding suicide prevention trainings like Umatter® . “By strengthening collaboration and expanding training opportunities, we can improve outcomes for people struggling with suicide and build a more resilient community,” said Kirk Postlewaite, Co-Executive Director of CHL.
The work of the Center of Excellence is already underway. To learn more about upcoming trainings, events, and resources, visit FacingSuicideVT.com.
To stay informed, access resources, and be part of the solution, sign up for the Facing Suicide VT Newsletter: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8148203/Facing-Suicide-VT-Newsletter-Sign-Up
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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
About the Department the Center for Health and Learning
The Center for Health and Learning’s (CHL) work focuses on mental health and wellness promotion and prevention, including substance misuse and suicide prevention. Our mission is to build healthy communities through educational resources, leadership training, policy development, and technical assistance.
Visit healthandlearning.org
About the Vermont Program for Quality Health Care
The Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care (VPQHC) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization designated by the Vermont Legislature in 1988 as an independent, non-regulatory, peer review committee. Our organization brings together the entire spectrum of health care voices to focus on quality analysis and improvement. VPQHC’s mission is to cultivate a culture of excellence in healthcare, drive continuous quality improvement, and achieve better outcomes for all.
Visit vpqhc.org