COVID-19’s impact on Vermont’s mental and behavioral health support system has been a double-edged sword. As more Vermonters experience social isolation due to disruption in their normal activities, more are also experiencing severe mental health crises and suicide ideation. At the same time, Vermont’s health system is not robust enough around mental health to handle this new influx, creating a real-back up of patients—particularly young people—in emergency departments waiting to be seen.
Read more about "The VT COVID-19 Response Fund Recovery Initiatives: A Q+A on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention"Share Our Post:
NVU Grad Students Create Connections in Time of COVID-19
A group of graduate students at Northern Vermont University (NVU) was in the midst of investigating rural poverty in Vermont for a class advocacy project when COVID-19 began spreading throughout the state, drastically "changing the world as we knew it." As a result of the pandemic, the group decided to shift its focus to something they felt was more socially relevant right now: promoting the mental well-being of Vermonters. To help accomplish this mission, they have created a website, Virtual e-Vermonter.
Their goal for the site is to help Vermonters create social connections from home in order to be strong as individuals, as well as socially engaged and united as a community. Visitors to the site will find a Blog full of fun, creative, and inspiring activities; a calendar where music events, workshops, and classes can be accessed; links to resources for support; and a forum to share stay-at-home stories and tips.
The group shared, "One of the most important elements of well-being and health is connections, to community, resources, humans, and to art. During this time when we are told to be distant, it is our hope that Vermonters will maintain safe physical distance while remaining socially connected and inspired. Please visit and share this community site."
