A new Mental Health Urgent Care Center is set to open next week in Burlington, providing a vital alternative for individuals experiencing mental health crises outside of the often overcrowded emergency room setting. The center, operated by the Howard Center, will cater to patients aged 18 and older and is the first of its kind in Chittenden County. It will be located within a University of Vermont Medical Center building on South Prospect Street.
During a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, officials highlighted the center’s role in alleviating pressure on the hospital’s emergency room, which frequently serves as an inadequate option for those in crisis. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Howard Center, UVM Medical Center, and the nonprofits Pathways Vermont and Community Health Centers of Burlington.
Howard Center CEO Sandy McGuire described the center as a “huge step forward” in reducing the stigma associated with mental health care. “While it won’t solve every challenge facing our community today, I’m confident that we’re making progress by offering another option and choice for people to access compassionate, quality care,” she stated.
The center will provide a range of services, including mental health assessments, wound care, and support for patients dealing with suicidal ideation, traumatic brain injuries, and substance use disorders. It will also employ peer support specialists—staff members who have firsthand experience with mental health or substance use challenges—to assist and engage with patients.
Designed to foster a calming atmosphere, the center features light-filled spaces with views of Lake Champlain. Its reception area includes modern amenities like area rugs, a recessed television, and large ottomans. Patients, referred to as “guests,” will be welcomed by a “navigator” trained in de-escalation techniques and customer service before being directed to one of four serene consultation rooms painted in soothing shades of blue.
Patients who initially visit the emergency room can be referred to the center, where most services will be provided at no charge. The center is funded for three years, after which staff will evaluate the potential for billing private insurance, according to Charlotte McCorkel, Howard Center’s senior director of client services. “We’re hoping that people will access services sooner than they would otherwise,” she added.
The center will operate on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with plans for expanded hours in the future.
The ribbon-cutting event attracted numerous supporters, including Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Vermont House Majority Leader Jill Krowinski (D-Burlington), and state Senator Ginny Lyons (D-Chittenden-Southeast), necessitating multiple tour groups to accommodate the crowd.
During the ceremony, Vermont Human Services Secretary Jenney Samuelson praised the center, calling it “the solution that we’ve been looking for.” She expressed enthusiasm for the opening, stating, “A dedicated space where we can provide the care that people need, when they need it, and where they need it is really becoming a reality.”
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