Community Matters - United Counseling Service
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Community Matters
May 1, 2021
We are all in this together. We continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and will follow guidance from
public health officials and government agencies, so we can continue to support our community.
Now is the time to raise awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health issues and to help
reduce the stigma so many experience.
Read more at May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
United Counseling Service will stream the
documentary Angst: Raising Awareness Around
Anxiety on Thursday, May 6 at 6pm. Professionals
from UCS will hold a facilitated discussion
immediately following the film. Registration is
required to attend the virtual event.
The film tells the stories of kids and teens, who
discuss their anxiety and its impacts on their lives
and relationships, as well as how they’ve found
solutions and hope. The documentary also includes
a special interview with Michael Phelps, a mental
health advocate and one of the greatest athletes of
all time. In addition, Angst provides discussions with
mental health experts about the causes of anxiety
and its sociological effects, along with information
about resources and tools available to address the condition. Everyone involved in the development of
Angst has a personal experience with anxiety—from the producers to the interviewees.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health challenge in the U.S., affecting 54 percent of girls
and women and 46 percent of boys and men, with age 7 being the median age of onset, according to the
World Health Organization. While anxiety disorders are highly treatable, only about a third of those
affected by anxiety receive treatment.
“Anxiety and depression among children and youth is a growing concern in our community and nation-
wide.” said Lorna Mattern, Executive Director of United Counseling Service. “We felt it important to
present Angst to the community, especially now through the Pandemic, as a way to help others
understand the impact of anxiety on young people and help parents and educators recognize the signs
and know how to get help.”
Photo: Michael Phelps and Charlie discuss struggles with their own anxiety in the film.
Register Here
Take a course. Save a life. Strengthen your community.
You are more likely to encounter someone in an emotional
or mental health crisis than someone having a heart
attack. Learn how to help a friend, family member,
coworker, or neighbor in need.
Mental Health First Aid teaches how to identify,
understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and
substance use disorders. The course introduces
participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental
health concerns, builds understanding of their impact and
provides an overview of common treatments. Through role-
playing and simulations, it demonstrates how to assess a
mental health crisis; select interventions; provide initial
help; and connect people to professional, peer and social
supports as well as self-help resources.
United Counseling Service is offering Adult Mental Health First Aid on Wednesday, May 19 from 9am to
3pm. All classes are currently being held virtually. There is no charge, however, space is limited. If you
have questions or would like to register, contact Maria DeLeon at mdeleon@ucsvt.org.
Supporting Staff Through Worksite Wellness
We are proud to share another UCS Presents: Wellness Moments. This month Lorna Mattern joins Amy
Fela, Chair of our award-winning Worksite Wellness Program, to discuss how UCS supports staff in
taking care of themselves and a few of the successful initiatives our Worksite Wellness Committee has
held for our staff.
Watch now.
Loneliness During the Pandemic
Feeling tired, depressed, less motivated, and nervous about reentry
into the social world? Extended social isolation as a result of
physical distancing is one likely culprit. Your experience mirrors what
people are experiencing nationally.
In the American Psychological Association’s Stress in America
(2020) , 80% of respondents reported that the pandemic and its
deleterious effects on our sense of community and togetherness is a
significant source of stress and that stress has been increasing over
time.
The good news is that there are actions we can take and resources
available to help us, our family, friends, and communities feel better
and navigate this difficult time of isolation, distancing—and,
paradoxically, the ambiguities of re-engagement with the social
world...Read more.
Netsmart and Vermont Collaborative Launch Care Coordination Platform
to Deliver on Data-Driven, Value-based Care
Vermont Care Partners (VCP) and four member
agencies announce the successful launch of the
Unified Electronic Medical Records project using
Netsmart’s myAvatar™. MyAvatar is the industry-leading electronic health record (EHR) for behavioral
health and addiction services and is a feature of the Netsmart CareFabric® platform, an integrated
framework of solutions and services. The CareFabric platform leverages the health record data of this
unique collaborative, enhancing provider care delivery in the catchment areas served by those agencies
across the state of Vermont. When fully optimized, the platform will enable improved care coordination by
providing real-time analytics and clinical decision support for value-based care...Read more.
Head Start/Early Head Start
2 Park Street
North Bennington, VT 05257
Phone: 802-442-3686
Locations in Bennington, North Bennington,
Manchester and Pownal
Head Start and Early Head Start celebrated the 50th annual Week of the
Young Child.
The week of April 10–16, 2021 was the 50th annual Week of the Young Child, which is coordinated by the
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Each day has a theme where
families and early childhood and childcare programs internationally celebrate together to focus public
attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize programs that meet these
needs. Since this year's Week of the Young Child fell during our April vacation week, children attending
onsite childcare at Bennington County Head Start-Early Head Start participated in focused curriculum
experiences centered around the days of the week: Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together
Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Family Friday. The program also recognized our staff's working hard to
support children and families with a pizza lunch on Tasty Tuesday as well.
Upcoming UCS Events
UCS Presents Angst - Raising Awareness Around Anxiety
May 6, 2021 at 12pm and 6pm
Learn more at UCS Presents.
Adult Mental Health First Aid
Thursday, May 19 from 9am to 3pm.
Learn more at MHFA.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Friday, June 18th from 9am to 3pm.
Learn more at YMHFA.
Are you looking for a great place to work? Consider joining our team!
Our employees are creative, thoughtful, energetic, forward-thinking
and empowered. If you want to make a difference and help those
who need it most, consider joining our team. UCS is a great place to
work and a great place to get care.
Check out all current openings at UCS JOB OPENINGS.
Please be advised that the Coronavirus/COVID-19 has altered the way we are
currently recruiting at this time. Should you be contacted for consideration, we are
limiting job interviews to telephone or video communication, in order to align with
guidance by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Hiring for certain positions
may also be slowed by efforts being used to promote social distancing and other
recommended strategies. We thank you for your understanding as we navigate the
best way to keep you, employees, and our community safe.
Please Consider Supporting UCS
“I do not need help at this time. I simply wanted to say that through the years UCS has offered me quality
mental health services. It has been through their efforts and commitment that I have been able to thrive in
my life and be a productive member of society and my community through volunteer work. I have always
been treated with dignity and respect at all times. I feel greatly appreciative to all at UCS and their never-
ending commitment to quality services throughout Bennington county…” - Nancy Balconis
We have a deep commitment to building a stronger community. Despite the challenges of 2020, our staff
were driven by a common purpose to do the right thing for our clients, our community, and each other.
This year, crisis calls have increased by 70% and requests for our services have increased by 135%. The
need for our services keeps growing. Please make a donation today.
We are here for you, will you be here for us?
Donations can be mailed to:
United Counseling Service
PO Box 588
Bennington, VT 05201
You can also make a secure online donation using a credit card:
DONATE NOW
Additional Resources for COVID-19 Information
COVID Support VT
Vermont Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control
Southern Vermont Medical Center
Managing Anxiety and Stress—CDC
Map of Community Resources in Bennington
Bennington County Regional Commission (BCRC) COVID 19 Resource Page
United Counseling Service - 100 Ledge Hill Drive - PO Box 588 - Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-5491 - ucsvt.org
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