Governor Peter Shumlin joined legislators, community leaders, consumers, advocates and staff members at the Brattleboro Retreat on Monday for a ribbon cutting reception to mark the opening of the Retreat’ s new Adult Intensive Unit. The renovated 14-bed unit is one component of a statewide strategy for replacing acute psychiatric services that were provided by the Vermont State Hospital in Waterbury before Tropical Storm Irene devastated that facility.
‘ When the chips were down we asked a lot of providers to help; and many did,’ said Shumlin. ‘ But the Brattleboro Retreat went the extra mile. They have been an extraordinary partner in making sure we haven’ t been met by real tragedy and real crisis. Today we recognize the Retreat as the premier mental health delivery system not only in Vermont, but in the country.’
Flooding from Tropical Storm Irene forced the closure of the Waterbury hospital in September, 2011. Since then, the Retreat has partnered with the state of Vermont to provide care for some of the state’ s most severely ill psychiatric patients. The $5.3 million project, funded in large part by FEMA, will allow the Retreat to continue providing high-quality mental health care for 14 such patients on an ongoing basis. The project has included the partial renovation of the Retreat’ s Tyler building, and the creation of a secure outdoor patient courtyard.
‘ The Brattleboro Retreat stepped forward quickly to assist in the crisis and we are grateful for the partnership that has been created and the on-going dedication to Vermonters that has been exhibited by Retreat leadership and staff,’ said Department of Mental Health Commissioner Mary Moulton.
During Monday’ s ribbon cutting reception, Dr Robert E Simpson, president and chief executive officer of the Brattleboro Retreat, praised Retreat employees for their response to a challenging situation and for providing excellent care to patients from the State Hospital. Simpson also noted the project’ s significance to Vermont’ s ability to address the mental health needs of its residents.
‘ This is an important milestone in our partnership with the state of Vermont and the Department of Mental Health,’ said Simpson. ‘ We had to respond quickly and creatively after Irene hit Vermont. The opening of this unit 20 months later is an important part of the state’ s overall plan to meet the complex needs of some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.’
The thoroughly renovated, 9,600 square foot unit reflects state-of-the art design, safety, and functionality for high-need psychiatric patients. While these patients typically have longer hospital stays than patients in other Retreat programs, once appropriate treatment milestones are reached the Retreat works closely with community mental health agencies and other support services to help reintegrate patients into their home communities.
The Brattleboro Retreat, founded in 1834, is a not-for-profit, regional specialty psychiatric hospital and addictions treatment center, providing a full range of diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitation services for individuals of all ages and their families. Recognized as a national leader in the treatment mental illness and addiction, the Brattleboro Retreat offers a high quality, individualized, comprehensive continuum of care including inpatient, partial hospitalization, residential and outpatient treatment.
BRATTLEBORO, VT (April 8, 2013)’ Governor's office
Courtesy Photo of Ribbon Cutting attached: Foreground: Patrick Flood, former Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Mental Health, Mary Moulton, acting Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Mental Health, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, and Dr Robert E Simpson, president and CEO of the Brattleboro Retreat.