2019 CACH Teams

Health Priority: Mental Health

Focus Area: Suicide prevention

Screening and Intervention Team

Initiative #1

Primary Care Practice Training and Support

Overview: CACH provides training and guidance to primary care practices and organizations on the appropriate utilization of evidence-based tools for screening and addressing suicidality. To date, 6 practices have participated in the training.

Initiative #2

Resident Training

Overview: CACH implemented a hands-on suicide prevention training for UVM Medical Center residents. We deeply appreciate Dr. Sara Roberts, Trevor Hanbridge, and Mark Margolis for their steadfast dedication and for conducting this ongoing training. The training took place over the course of 5 weeks with a total of 50+ residents receiving training.

Initiative #3

Suicide Safer Mini-Grant:

Rounds 1 and 2

Overview: Participated in Round 1 and Round 2 of the “Suicide Safer Mini-Grant project for Designated Mental Health Agencies and Patient-Centered Medical Homes” funded by the Department of Mental Health (DMH). The team worked with Thomas Chittenden Health Center, Community Health Centers and Champlain Center for Natural Medicine. The work entailed:

  • Conducting a Zero-Suicide Organizational Self-Study to identify strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for improvement

  • Worked with each organization to develop workflows, support workflows and establish pathways to care.

Reducing Stigma Team

Initiative #1

Public Service Announcement (PSA)

Overview: CACH created a PSA addressing mental health stigma that was broadcast across multiple radio stations and promoted local resources such as texting VT to 741741.

Initiative #2

Suicide-related Stigma Assessment

Overview: CACH distributed an evidence-based tool, the Stigma of Suicide Scale (SOSS) survey, to Chittenden County residents via Front Porch Forum. The survey aimed to measure current levels of suicide-related stigma. A statically significant amount of survey respondents was achieved which provided insight and direction for initiative development and implementation.

Initiative #3

Suicide Prevention Awareness and De-stigmatization Initiative - Construction Industry

Overview: Informed by Industry and Occupation of Vermonters who Died by Suicide (healthvermont.gov), the team collaborated with the Center for Health and Learning and the Department of Health to support 150+ PC Construction Crew members at the Beta Technologies work site over the course of two weeks and two sessions. The team is currently working with ReARCH Construction Company by developing and implementing a three part “Tool Box Talk” series which will include training and resources for crew members.

Social Connectedness Team

Initiative #1

Loneliness Intervention Pilot Program

Overview: The Social Connectedness Team conducted a values-based intervention pilot program for older adults who receive SASH services. The primary elements of the pilot include:

  • To participate, older adults must have recently scored a 6 or higher on the UCLA lonelines scale.

  • The intervention was based on the research of Dr. Renee Peppin at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.

  • The Action Team contracted with three UVM Integrative Health and Wellness Health Coaches to provide 1:1 sessions with SASH participants.  

  • The Action Team also contracted with a supervisor for the health coaches who developed an intervention guide for coaches and participants. 

    Results:

    • The program was an overall success with 50% of participants having a lower UCLA loneliness scale score following the pilot project. 

If you are interested in learning more about please contact Thomas Moore at thomas.moore@uvmhealth.org.