Behavioral Health

We provide a wide range of evidence-based behavioral health services, tailored to each individual's unique needs, promoting mental well-being, resilience and recovery in a supportive and compassionate environment.

Mental Health Services

Dedicated and professional NKHS staff work to improve the quality of life for adults with serious mental illness or severe emotional disturbances and those struggling with addictive disorders. Individualized support is offered through outpatient and community-based services. Adult Mental Health Services at NKHS include Community Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT), Outpatient Services, Substance Use and Crisis Services.

The psychiatric services provide comprehensive mental health evaluation and treatment services across the full continuum of agency services including CRT, IDDS, Children, Youth and Families, Emergency Services, and Adult Outpatient programs. Additionally, Psychiatric Services oﬀer important collaboration with community partners to enhance the eﬀectiveness and eﬃciency of psychiatric care delivery in the community.

Reach Up is a program through the Vermont Agency of Human Services Department for Children and Families that helps eligible parents to set and reach short and long-term goals that will enable them to support their minor, dependent children financially. NKHS Reach Up service coordinators work with this state program and other agencies to help individuals reach their goals.

What You Need to Know About Reach Up

Substance Use Disorder

Our dedicated and professional staff work tirelessly to improve the quality of life for adults facing addiction challenges. We offer a comprehensive continuum of care, tailored to address the unique needs of each individual. Whether individuals are experiencing daily life stressors, acute emotional distress, or severe and persistent mental illness alongside their substance use disorder, NKHS is here to provide compassionate and effective treatment. Through evidence-based practices and a person-centered approach, we strive to support individuals on their journey towards lasting recovery and a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Substance use services for adults starting at age 18 and adolescents aged 13-18 provide health promotion, prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery services to prevent, reduce and eliminate the health impacts of alcohol, cannabis, opioid and other substance misuse.

NKHS has a policy to provide services with-in 24 hours to any woman identifying as pregnant and using substances.

IDRP is a State of Vermont program designed to provide education on substance misuse and driving under the influence (DUI) for those convicted of a DUI 1 or 2. NKHS offers a weekend IDRP Program to eligible participants. Individuals with a LIFE suspension do not qualify for participation in the weekend program.

The weekend program includes:

Intake evaluation
IDRP educational program
Determination if further treatment is recommended

IDRP Weekend Schedule 2024

IDRP Intake Packet 2024

IDRP Release of Confidential Information

Community Rehabilitation Treatment (CRT)

The Community Rehabilitation Treatment (CRT) program provides comprehensive community-based support services and assists adults with serious mental illness and client-centered treatment. Symptoms may be substantially disabling and long-term or short-term. The CRT program helps individuals and their families develop skills and supports important to living the life they want.

Emergency Services

NKHS has an array of services to aid a person experiencing a crisis. Each service works along a continuum of care, which allows the person in crisis to determine, when appropriate, how much intervention and support they need. The continuum allows the person in crisis to move freely between different levels of service they require, both during and pre/post-crisis.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. NKHS and NCSS contract with DMH and Vibrant to provide 24/7 state-wide coverage of Lifeline call/chat/text center supports for those in a mental health crisis.

If you or someone you know needs to speak to someone, call or text 988.

To access the online chat feature at 988, go to https://988lifeline.org/chat/

Mobile crisis services assist individuals that may be experiencing a mental health crisis. This service meets the person where they are, assesses their individualized needs, provides a safety plan, and coordinates services to minimize the use of more restrictive services such as law enforcement and hospitalization. These intensive supports are for individuals and families experiencing or who may experience a psychological, behavioral, or emotional crisis.

Call us now: 800-649-0118

Visit Mobile Crisis of Vermont for more information and to find an agency near you.
Visit their website

We are currently under contract for a building in Newport for a program called the ‘Front Porch’, a Mental Health Urgent Care and Crisis Stabilization Program. This program has been years in the making and couldn’t have been possible without community advocacy and a long-term commitment to bringing essential services to the NEK. We have secured funding from the State of Vermont through AHS and the Legislature for a physical building and programming.

For a summary of the proposed Front Porch Crisis Care+ download the Overview

Letters of support from community members are an essential aspect of developing this project. If you would like to submit a letter of support, download the letter, fill in the information at the bottom, and submit it to Erica Perkins, Director of Communication, via email eperkins@nkhs.org or mail: 2225 Portland Street, P.O. Box 368, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.

Download the Letter of Support