by Joe Halko, Director of Community Relations, Northwestern Counseling & Support Services As COVID continues to impact our lives, we are faced with the stark reality that two years of increased stress, isolation, and uncertainty have taken their toll on the mental health of us all. At Northwestern Counseling & Support Services (NCSS), which serves Franklin and Grand Isle Counties, we are seeing an increase in mental health needs across the age span, from young children and their families through older Vermonters. At the same time, our capacity to meet the growing need is severely strained.
NCSS is not alone in these challenges. Across the state, 342 children are on waiting lists for services for up to six months and 437 adults are on waiting lists for up to nine months. Lacking access to care, too many children and adults are waiting in emergency departments. Meanwhile, mental health agencies are experiencing 20 percent staff vacancy rates – with some agencies approaching 50 percent – as many staff leave the field for better pay and less risk at fast food and retail establishments.
When our system of care is not equipped to meet the need, there is a ripple effect across our communities experienced by schools, hospitals, law enforcement, and other providers. Schools, for example, are seeing increased incidents of violent outbursts, vandalism, substance misuse and increased threats of harm to self and others.
In a system that struggled with adequate funding before COVID, the pandemic has only exacerbated these shortfalls and left many of Vermont’s most vulnerable citizens with inadequate access to mental health care. Imagine a child going to the emergency room needing stitches, but all that’s available is a band-aid. We must do better.
NCSS has joined community partners and individuals across our region to be part of United Way of Northwest Vermont’s (UWNWVT) new Mental Health Initiative. The Mental Health Initiative is bringing together direct providers of mental health services, Vermonters with lived experience, policymakers, schools and other sectors that intersect with mental health, and organizations and alliances focused on mental health and substance misuse.
Together, we will work to align existing mental health resources, identify gaps in the system of care, and create a shared agenda and action items for our next steps. We are focusing on three interconnected initial priorities: Addressing the mental health workforce shortage; strengthening and aligning resources for suicide prevention; and responding to the acute rise in youth mental health needs.
We have an opportunity to be there for individuals who have been reluctant to seek care and are asking for our help. Now more than ever, we need to come together to strengthen mental health resources for ourselves and our neighbors.
Will you join us? To learn more and get involved, visit https://unitedwaynwvt.org/mental-health-initiative.