As we move into the new year, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the incredible strides made in Enhanced Mobile Crisis (EMC) response across Vermont. This past year has been a testament to the power of rapid, community-based mental health and substance use support, and the dedication of the professionals making it happen every day.
Key Achievements from 2024
🚨 Faster Response Times
When a crisis happens, time matters. This year, our average response time was just 32 minutes—with nearly 90% of calls responded to within our statewide goal of 1 hour. That means more people getting the immediate support they need, when they need it most.
🏡 More Community-Based Care
Meeting people where they are continues to be a priority:
✅ 87.1% of adult EMC services took place in community settings.
✅ 74.6% of youth EMC services were community-based.
🔄 Reducing the Need for Hospitalization
One of the biggest successes of enhanced Mobile Crisis is keeping people out of emergency departments (EDs) whenever possible by providing timely, effective crisis intervention. In 2024, we saw:
✅ 87.7% of adults diverted from EDs.
✅ 88.4% of youth successfully supported in alternative care settings.
Service Highlights
📊 Total Encounters Delivered:
3,007 people statewide received EMC support, including 1,144 youth and 1,863 adults.
🕗 Peak Service Hours:
The highest utilization time for mobile crisis calls was between 8 AM and 5 PM, peaking at 2 PM, though responses are provided 24/7.
📞 Who’s Calling?
Families and self-referrals were the biggest source of adult crisis calls, making up 24.8% of all referrals.
For youth, 40.2% of referrals came from schools, highlighting the essential role of educators in connecting students to crisis care.
Looking Ahead
The impact of Enhanced Mobile Crisis in Vermont is undeniable, and we’re only just getting started. With a commitment to continued timely response within an hour, increased number of EMC services provided in the community, and improved diversion from ED visits, we’re building a stronger, more accessible mental health system.
To all our partners—mental health professionals, first responders, schools, families, and community members—thank you for making 2024 a success. Your collaboration and dedication have transformed crisis response across the State.
Here’s to an even greater 2025! 🎉 For support during a substance use or mental health crisis, call or text 988.
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