Why Vermonters are struggling to find help with mental health care

Why Vermonters are struggling to find help with mental health care

By Christina Guessferd, WCAX

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – More Vermonters than ever before are asking for help with their mental health. Our Christina Guessferd looks at how the pandemic has put more strain on the system.

At Northwestern Counseling and Support Services in Franklin County, while the list isn’t as long– an average one-to-two-week wait– their resources are severely limited.

“We can meet with someone, however, to get the quality of care that they’re looking for, we’re just not equipped enough to do that right now,” said Danielle Mitchell, the director of children, youth and family services at Northwestern Counseling and Support Services.

“We could get you in pretty quick. To see you every week would probably be a stretch,” said Dr. Steve Broer, the director of behavioral health services at Northwestern Counseling and Support Services.

Mitchell and Broer say that’s because their caseloads are practically unmanageable due to the extraordinarily high demand for one-on-one sessions.

Link to entire WCAX segment:

https://www.wcax.com/2021/05/13/why-vermonters-are-struggling-to-find-help-with-mental-health-care/