11 Days on the Road in Vermont

Over the last two weeks, our team spent 11 days on the road bringing Mental Health Literacy awareness and action-driven collaboration across the state of Vermont. It was a full, meaningful stretch of connection, learning, and shared commitment to supporting well-being in our communities.

We began in Berlin, Vermont, attending a Facilitator Check-In for the COPE Program, which supports families navigating separation and divorce. While there, we had the privilege of speaking directly with Dr. Larry Shelton, a professor at the University of Vermont and a key contributor to the development of the COPE curriculum in Vermont. Hearing the history of the program and reflecting on how we continue to evolve it through empathetic communication was both grounding and inspiring.

Next, we headed to Waterbury for an in-person Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course with Department of Corrections staff at the Vermont State Office Complex. From there, we shifted into two days of virtual MHFA and COPE sessions, continuing to meet people where they are and expand access to these essential tools.

Our journey then brought us to Rutland, where we wrapped up a wellness series in partnership with Castleton University’s Wellness Center and Student Government. About a dozen students chose to complete both QPR and MHFA certifications—even with two major sporting events happening that weekend. Their engagement, curiosity, and depth of knowledge were a powerful reminder: this next generation is deeply invested in understanding their mental health and supporting one another.

While in Rutland, we also facilitated two workshops for the Rutland Parent Child Center: Mental Health Literacy 101 and our RES: Recognize, Engage, Support™ program. These sessions focused on building practical skills for noticing, connecting, and offering support—both for ourselves and for others.

We closed out the 11 days with two (of three) additional MHFA classes for Department of Corrections staff, complete with a snowy April morning commute that only Vermont can deliver.

Now, we’re back home, shifting into a week of virtual meetings and sessions before Mental Health Month in May, where we have more than 20 engagements scheduled.

And of course, along the way, there were moments of joy and connection, visiting with our friend and colleague Mark Perry of Narrative Therapies, and finding some standout sushi and Indian food (a rare treat in Northern Vermont!)

We’re incredibly grateful to our partners at Vermont Care Partners, Rutland Regional Medical Center, and the University of Vermont for the opportunity to engage with Vermonters in meaningful conversations about mental health and empathetic communication.

Here’s to the work ahead, and to continuing to show up, together.