Date of Publication
1-29-2025
Abstract
Background: Vermont is experiencing an adolescent mental health (MH) crisis, with 34% of Vermont high schoolers reporting poor MH and 20% of middle schoolers reporting thoughts of suicide. Our aim is to assess Vermont MH providers’ perceptions and utilization of adolescent MH resources towards the goal of improved understanding of barriers and facilitators for accessing quality adolescent MH services. Methods: We developed and implemented a survey of Vermont MH providers consisting of eighteen multiple choice and five free response questions. Topics included assessing respondents’ educational background and practice setting, awareness of current resources, assessments of those resources, and priority issues for improving adolescent MH. Data analysis used a thematic content approach and descriptive statistics. Results: We received 77 responses from physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, LICSWs, LMSWs, and MH professionals. Review of multiple choices questions points to: 1) Comfort screening adolescents for MH problems but less with treatment, 2) Similar levels of comfort in recommending and referring adolescents to MH resources, and 3) More comfort in working with families of adolescents than schools. Thematic analysis of free responses yielded themes regarding current care inadequacies: 1) lack of access to appropriate care, 2) insufficient resources for patients, 3) providers unable to navigate the current system, and 4) lack of providers. Respondents also reported gratefulness for their colleagues and statewide resources. Conclusion: Preliminary results support the need for additional MH provider capacity and training in Vermont and for addressing systemic issues impairing optimal treatment of our adolescent population.
Advisor(s)
Victoria Zhou, MD
Larner College of Medicine
Steven Berbeco, EdD
Mental Health Initiative - United Way of Northwest Vermont
Agency
United Way of Northwest Vermont
Subjects
Adolescents, Children, Health Care Access and Quality, Mental Health and Mental Disorders
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License
Recommended Citation
Bauman, Cliff; Heithmar, Jeff; Marawala, Ryan; Rogers, Jill; Thomas, Evelyn; Vitali, Alex; and Weaver, Kyra, "Examining the Adolescent Mental Health Crisis in Vermont Through the Experiences of Healthcare Providers" (2025). Public Health Projects, 2008-present. 331.
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/331
