The Center for Health & Learning (CHL) has been a dedicated provider of suicide prevention and public health education programs for 25 years. With the VT Suicide Prevention Center, CHL has been integrally involved in preventing suicide across multiple settings. CHL also developed Umatter, connecting schools and communities with practices that save lives and promote institutional knowledge -- helping care providers, educational leaders, young adults, and professionals prevent suicide.
Suicide in VT and the Northeast is a growing public health issue. More than 10x as many people die by suicide in Vermont annually than by homicide, and on average, one person dies by suicide every three days. Stakeholders in Vermont have taken seriously the need to expand suicide prevention efforts and applying CHL's important practices improve prevention outcomes across continuums. With the ongoing crisis of the pandemic, suicide prevention efforts are more important than ever.
The Center for Health and Learning (CHL) has the vision to serve the State of Vermont and meet each community where they are as a catalyst for inspiring optimum health for all. We focus on Mental Health Awareness, Suicide Prevention and Awareness, and Substance Use Disorder education and learning opportunities.
CHL has delivered quality services to school and community professionals about suicide prevention. We are committed to meet the increased demand for online training created by COVID as the need for online trainings about suicide prevention becomes more pressing. CHL's support enables those who have not worked with people who are suicidal to take active roles in mental health services. The impact is a movement away from crisis intervention and towards optimal health.
