Mental Health

After decades of navigating various mental and physical health struggles, three Vermonters sought out an autism diagnosis for themselves in their late 40s and 50s.

The inpatient psychiatric unit is open to patients ages 12 to 17. The hospital also expanded its beds for adults.

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington is set to build a new 12-bed psychiatric unit for adolescents. This comes as state health officials say they're seeing an increase of youth with symptoms of mental illness that require inpatient care.

Out of 475 submissions, Burr and Burton Academy junior Justason Lahue's essay won the 2025 State of the Union Essay Contest for Vermont students. The annual contest, run by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders office, is now in its 15th year.

A 2023 U.S. Census Bureau report found that nearly 1 in 4 Vermonters said they'd experienced symptoms of anxiety. Studies show that even just petting an animal can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and abate loneliness. Shelburne's New Village Farm invites guests to pet, scratch, hold and snuggle their dog-like herd of Nigerian dwarf, Oberhasli, and French alpine goats.

Tommy Hyde's documentary Underdog tells the story of Middlebury farmer and dog musher Doug Butler.

Tras las medidas de inmigración de Trump en sus primeras semanas en el poder, Mayrena Guerrero de Massachusetts sugiere a las personas buscar espacios de paz y armar un plan.

Following President Trump's immigration crackdown, Mayrena Guerrero has sensed a lot of fear and alarm from her clients. She advises people to plan and carve out ways to have some sense of peace.

The inpatient psychiatry unit at Central Vermont Medical Center recently stopped admitting new patients. At the end of January, it will close altogether in an effort to save the hospital system money.

At the Pride Center of Vermont, Trans Program Manager and SafeSpace Advocate Em Russo says people are thinking through gender markers on their documents, coming together in support group settings and — finding moments of joy.