Project Grant H79FG001018

EMBEDDED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IN SASH? HOUSING-A STATEWIDE EXPANSION AND ENHANCEMENT - THE REGULAR, AT-HOME PRESENCE OF A SASH CLINICIAN HAS BEEN SHOWN, THROUGH QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DATA EVALUATION OVER 3 YEARS, TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF THE 200 RESIDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE BURLINGTON PILOT, AND REDUCE UNNECESSARY EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS. THIS PROJECT WILL EXPAND THE MENTAL HEALTH PILOT ACROSS VERMONT THROUGH SASH'S EXISTING REGIONAL DELIVERY SYSTEM BUILT ON FORMALIZED PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN SASH HOUSING ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE DESIGNATED AND SPECIALIZED SERVICES AGENCIES, HOME HEALTH, AREA AGENCIES ON AGING, AND PRIMARY CARE, TO SERVE 1,200 UNDUPLICATED OLDER ADULTS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES RESIDING IN SASH AFFORDABLE HOUSING SITES. SIX FULL TIME SASH CLINICIANS, TO BE EMPLOYED BY SIX LOCAL COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH DESIGNATED AGENCIES, WILL BE EMBEDDED INTO THE SASH TEAMS COMPRISING OF A SASH CARE COORDINATOR AND WELLNESS NURSE (RN) IN CHITTENDEN, RUTLAND, WASHINGTON, WINDSOR, WINDHAM, AND BENNINGTON COUNTIES AND THE NORTHEAST KINGDOM OF VT. THE SASH CLINICIAN PROVIDES AN ARRAY OF SERVICES DIRECTED BY PARTICIPANTS INCLUDING INDIVIDUAL AND COUPLES THERAPY, SHORT-TERM AND ONGOING PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT, PSYCHOEDUCATION AND PROCESS GROUPS, AND WORKSHOPS; CARE COORDINATION, AND STAFF EDUCATION. IN ADDITION TO A FOCUS ON TOPICS LIKE MANAGING ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION OR DEALING WITH GRIEF, GROUP PROGRAMS TARGET SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONELINESS. EDUCATION, SUPPORT, AND ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF CARE TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS IS ALSO PROVIDED. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO OFFER FOUR REGIONAL MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS STATEWIDE WHO WILL LEAD PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACHES TO LOWER BARRIERS AND SUPPORT IMPROVED MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLNESS THROUGHOUT ALL SASH PANELS. THEY PROVIDE VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON EDUCATION FOR PARTICIPANTS AND SASH STAFF, AND SUPPORT THE SASH TEAMS THAT WILL NOT HAVE A SASH CLINICIAN. FIVE OVERARCHING GOALS OF THE PROJECT INCLUDE: 1. SASH PARTICIPANTS AT PROGRAM SITES HAVE ACCESS TO AND ENGAGE IN EXPEDITED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS, WITHIN 1-3 DAYS OF REFERRAL. 2. SASH PARTICIPANTS AT PROGRAM SITES WILL EXPERIENCE DECREASED STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS. 3. SASH PARTICIPANTS AT PROGRAM SITES WILL EXPERIENCE FEWER UNNECESSARY EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITS OVER TIME AND EXPERIENCE RESILIENCY WHEN HEALTH EMERGENCIES ARISE. 4. SASH PARTICIPANTS AT PROGRAM SITES WILL EXPERIENCE A REDUCTION IN DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY OVER TIME. 5. SASH STAFF WILL ATTAIN KNOWLEDGE, CONFIDENCE, TOOLS AND STRATEGIES AIMED AT IMPROVING MENTAL WELLBEING OF PARTICIPANTS IN THEIR PANELS.