Mental Health

We can lower our stress levels and increase our ability to deal with challenges.

The main focus of the Commission is to identify and make available pre-incident behavioral health training and post-incident support/aid to all of Vermont’s emergency service providers. This page will be updated with meeting minutes and reports as they become available.

Addressing stigma in first response is a process. Change is most effective when implemented at multiple levels. This should include both individual and organizational policy change, with a focus on fact-based education to reduce misconceptions of people with mental illness.

Compassion fatigue is a type of work-related stress common in the caring and protective professions. Learn ways to address compassion fatigue in your work.

Resiliency is the ability to recover and adapt well from stressful events. Experts view it as a skill that you can practice and develop, rather than an innate trait. You can build resilience by practicing mindfulness, getting better sleep, facilitating...

Every day, we see the worst day of someone’s life. First responders are resilient people, but we all respond to a few bad calls. Here, we offer ways to process after a bad call, explain some of the psychology behind...

Most experts estimate at least 25% of first responders have ever had thoughts of suicide or that life was not worth living. If this is you, you are not alone. Resources and help are available.

There are many organizations and groups across Vermont who can help you or someone you know. Here you can find treatment, support, and recovery services for substance use disorder.

Suicide touches the lives of many Vermonters. Our intentional self-harm and death by suicide rates are significantly higher than the United States rates. Find help, learn about warning, signs, risk and protective factors. Read about what Vermont is doing to...

Information on opioid prescribing and medication for opioid use disorder.