We want the percent of adults receiving treatment when it's needed to go up.

This is a Vermont Department of Health Healthy Vermonters 2020 objective.

Author: Vermont Department of Mental Health

The percentage of Vermont adults with any mental health condition is generally higher than the percentage of adults in the United States and higher than the percentage of adults in the Northeast. However, more Vermont adults are getting treatment than the national average (58% vs 43% in 2015). Other data sources--such as data reported to SAMHSA's Uniform Reporting System (URS)--show that Vermont's use of community mental health services is much higher than national averages (39 per 1,000 people vs 23 per 1,000 people in 2015).

The Agency of Human Services is currently using the scorecard to assess our agency contribution to increasing the rate of treatment in Vermont, and to keep track of key data elements to guide our efforts. One Agency cannot turn the curve alone; there are many partners who have a role to play making a difference.

Vermont’s percentage of mental health treatment among adults with AMI was higher than the national percentage in both the 2013 and 2014 barometer reports.

Updated January 2017.

There are many partners in Vermont who contribute to this effort. Designated Agencies, Specialized Services Agencies, private mental health providers, primary care providers all provide services to Vermont adults with any mental health condition. Families, friends, and communities who support and empathize with those with mental health conditions reduce stigma, which is a barrier to treatment. Peer support work through wellness cooperatives and advocacy groups help those in need of treatment navigate a system with support.

Similar to statewide efforts, local partners are using data to drive local strategy. For regional data on mental health indicators, check out our Public Health Data Explorer.

Percentages are from the SAMHSA Behavioral Health Barometer report for Vermont, available online at for each state at http://www.samhsa.gov/data/us_map.

Any mental illness (AMI) among adults aged 18 or older is defined as currently or at any time in the past year having had a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder (excluding developmental and substance use disorders) of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic criteria specified within the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Adults who had a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder in the past year, regardless of their level of functional impairment, were defined as having any mental illness.

Percent getting treatment is defined as adults who received mental health treatment or counseling within the year prior to being surveyed

Data are based on five years of NSDUH survey data. For example, data point 2014 represents data from NSDUH surveys for 2009-2013. NSDUH first included questions regarding any mental illness in 2008.

Updated January 2016.