University of Vermont Health Network, Howard Center Mental Health Urgent Care
The Mental Health Urgent Care (MHUC) at the University of Vermont Health Center offers the Burlington community an outpatient therapeutic alternative to emergency department visits for adults experiencing a self-defined mental health crisis. Fully funded for the first three years, MHUC provides free mental health services to the community. The goal is to provide immediate support to those in crisis and enable the community to choose an alternative to the overcrowded, often overburdened emergency department. The emergency department also has the option to transfer patients to MHUC if they feel that it’s a better place for an individual to receive treatment.
The space is designed to support a variety of services which includes peer support, mental health assessment, brief intervention, care management and coordination, safety planning, medical care (such as medical assessments, wound care, health education, and chronic disease management), assistance with medications, and referrals or connection to other services and resources. With uniquely tailored space types, each guest can seek private exam rooms, consultant rooms, or group breakout rooms. This extensive program offering results from a partnership between The Howard Center, Community Health Centers of Burlington, Pathways Vermont, and the University of Vermont Health Network.
SMRT faced the challenge of transforming the MHUC space on a limited budget. What started as a dark and repurposed 90s-era office space has been transformed into a light-filled, welcoming, and functional center focused on well-being. The renovation required thoughtful consideration of wayfinding, patient privacy, and a calming environment conducive to this facility type. Through collaborative efforts, SMRT navigated the complexities of integrating three different organizations’ needs into the design, ensuring the space was functional and a beacon of hope and healing for the community.
The entire renovation cost was $1.2 million, highlighting the successful and committed collaboration between SMRT, Farrington Construction Company, and the client; resulting in the ability to find creative, cost-effective solutions.
