Pathways Vermont is pleased to share two upcoming peer support initiatives in Chittenden County: a pilot Peer Respite House and peer support at the new Mental Health Urgent Care Clinic.
Peer Respite
Peer Respites utilize a holistic, person-centered peer approach to supporting people who are experiencing intense emotional distress. Peer respites are homelike environments that are non-institutional by design and are peer-run and staffed by peer support workers with lived experience.
Vermont currently has one peer respite, Alyssum, located in Rochester, in the middle of the state. Alyssum is a two-bed residential crisis respite and hospital diversion service funded by the Vermont Department of Mental Health.
Pathways Vermont has been working tirelessly to establish more peer respites across Vermont. This fall, with the generous support of the Four Pines Foundation, we will be opening a pilot two-bed respite in Chittenden County. We believe deeply in the power of peer support and utilize this approach across our existing programming.
Peer Support and the Mental Health Urgent Care Clinic
Pathways Vermont is collaborating with the University of Vermont Medical Center, the Vermont Department of Mental Health, the Howard Center, and the Community Health Center to offer a therapeutic alternative to emergency department care. The Mental Health Urgent Care Clinic will be a place where people in mental health distress can get timely assessments, supportive follow-up services, immediate peer support, and medical care—all in a trauma-informed, suicide-safe environment. This care will be available for adults 18 and older looking for immediate support or in a self-defined crisis.
Pathways Vermont will be providing peer support services for the project. We are thrilled that this new service will be opening this fall.
As we move towards opening these two initiatives, we need staff to run them. You can find all current openings on the careers page of our website. We are looking forward to hearing from you!
