A new mental health urgent care center is set to open next month in Burlington, thanks to a collaboration between UVM Medical Center, the Howard Center, and Pathways Vermont. The facility, located at 1 South Prospect Street, represents a significant development in local mental health services.
Charlotte McCorkel, Director of Client Services at the Howard Center, emphasized the center’s role in providing an alternative to emergency departments for those in need of mental health support. “We hope that individuals seeking support will consider this option before heading to the emergency room,” McCorkel said. “Our goal is to create a therapeutic environment for those experiencing distress. While emergency departments are excellent for immediate medical care, they are not designed to offer the therapeutic environment necessary for mental health services.”
The new center will offer a range of services to adults aged 18 and older, including mental health medical care, peer support, case management, crisis assessment, and other same-day psychological services. The project is fully funded for the next three years and will provide these services free of charge to the community.
Maureen Leahy, Director of Psychiatry Services at UVM Medical Center, highlighted the clinic’s importance given the high prevalence of mental health needs. “Nationally, 25% of the population has a mental health need, a statistic that is consistent locally. This clinic is designed to provide timely assistance when individuals would otherwise have to wait for primary care or psychiatric appointments, or resort to emergency rooms.”
The center will operate Monday through Friday, with its opening scheduled for October 28. To provide more information to the public, a virtual town hall will be held on Tuesday night, and an open house is planned for October 21.
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