BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Wires line the ceilings, and paint stains cover the walls on the fourth floor of 1 South Prospect Street at the University of Vermont Medical Center’s Campus, but soon, guests looking for mental health care can come here.
An outpatient emergency mental health urgent care center is coming to Burlington. The MHUC will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. for anyone seeking mental health medical care, peer support, assistance with medication, and a plethora of same-day psychological services.
“I really believe this is going to fill that gap in a way that we just haven’t had in Chittenden County, Vermont, so I’m really excited about that,” said Dr. Stephen Leffler, President of UVMMC.
The Howard Center, Community Health Centers of Burlington, Pathways Vermont, and UVMMC are teaming up, bringing their unique training to one place in an attempt to divert the overwhelm at the emergency department.
“We do believe there is some savings from the emergency department that will help and also any person who comes here and avoids an inpatient admission is amazingly good for the system,” said Dr. Leffler.
The program is fully funded for the next 3 years, meaning all mental health services will be provided to the community free of charge no matter your coverage.
“We are engaging with municipal leaders from Burlington, South Burlington, and surrounding towns to ensure that police, fire, and first responders are all aware of this new service option,” said Cathy Buscaglia from the Howard Center.
The center does not add any new in-patient beds for psychiatric patients, a department at UVMMC which is almost always full. It is also not a replacement for Act One Bridge, which provided a space for high, drunk, or disorderly folks to get sober. But leaders say if the person’s behavior is safe or they’re looking for intervention to get into recovery, it might be the right place for them.
“While it won’t solve every challenge currently facing our community, I’m confident that with the support of our partners, we will continue to make progress as we offer another option and a choice for people to access compassionate, high-quality care,” said Sandra McGuire from the Howard Center.
The expected open date for the mental health urgent care center is October 28th.