According to a recent study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health, almost half of all Americans have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lives and almost 30% suffer from one in any given year.
While we may all experience mental health issues on any given day, due to stress, grief or other life occurrences, mental illness, on the other hand, disables a person. Mental illness makes it hard to live a normal life. It is a serious medical condition requiring help which can include medication, hospitalization, therapy or a combination of these.
At Central Vermont Medical Center, we have services that can help you. There are also many other community resources available.
Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI)
What is PCMHI?
Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) is a program that provides mental health and/or psychiatric treatment in the primary care office. It is designed to make mental health care more available to patients who need/want it. PCMHI involves a team of mental health professionals who work closely with primary care providers (PCPs) to learn about a patient's specific mental health needs and help provide treatment.
Why am I being referred to PCMHI?
Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety are common and can impact your overall health. Your PCP has begun to address and treat your mental health concerns, though you may not yet be seeing improvement in your symptoms. A referral to the PCMHI program allows a specialized team of mental health professionals to make recommendations about medications, provide therapy, and/or help with referrals to other services.
How does the program work?
- Your PCP sends a referral to the PCMHI team.
- The PCMHI team reviews your medical chart and will either schedule an appointment with you, or provide recommendations to your PCP.
- Your PCP will incorporate the recommendations into your care plan
- If needed, a member of the PCMHI scheduling team will call you to schedule an appointment with a member of the PCMHI team.
View our list of Primary Care practices.
Inpatient Psychiatry
Central Vermont Medical Center's Inpatient Psychiatry Department operates a 15-bed unit for patients with acute, short-term, psychiatric assessment, treatment and support.
Learn more about philosophy of care, services and treatment options.
Community Resources
The Health Center in Plainfield has several psychologists and social workers on staff.
For more information, call The Health Center at 802-454-8336.
Washington County Mental Health Services (WCMHS) provides comprehensive, community-based services to adults with serious and persistent mental illness; developmental disabilities, mental retardation and autism; children with severe emotional disturbances and their families; children and adults with acute behavioral problems and a wide range of other challenging behaviors.
For more information, call WCMHS at 802-229-0591
Online Resources
There are many sites on the internet dealing with mental health issues, including the following:
Alcoholics Anonymous: www.aa.org
Al-Anon-Alateen: www.al-anon.alateen.org
Alzheimers's Association of VT & NH: www.alzvtnh.org
American Psychological Association Help Center: http://helping.apa.org/
American Psychiatric Association: www.healthyminds.org
Asperger's Association of New England: www.aane.org
Attention Deficit Disorder Association: www.add.org
Children & Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: www.chadd.org
Cocaine Anonymous: www.ca.org
Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health: www.ffcmh.org
Freedom from Fear: www.freedomfromfear.org
Intoximiters Drink Wheel: www.intox.com
Narcotics Anonymous: www.na.org
National Alliance on Mental Health: www.nami.org
National Center For PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), www.ptsd.va.gov
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism: www.niaaa.nih.gov
National Institute on Drug Abuse: www.drugabuse.gov
National Institute of Mental Health: www.nimh.nih.gov
National Mental Health Association: www.nmha.org