Washington County Mental Health Services

Washington County Mental Health Services Community Mental Health Center - offering a wide variety of support and treatment opportunities for children, adolescents, families, and adults

Washington County Mental Health Services (WCMHS) is designated by Vermont Statute to provide a wide variety of support and treatment opportunities for children, adolescents, families, and adults living with the challenges of mental illness, emotional and behavioral issues, and developmental disabilities. These services are both office and community-based through outreach. The range of services offered includes prevention and wellness, assessment and stabilization, and 24 hours a day, 7 days a week emergency response. WCMHS is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit Community Mental Health Center. The agency was established under this name in 1967 and proudly celebrates over 45 years of serving our community. We take a flexible approach to person-centered care for citizens within Washington County and the adjacent towns of Orange, Washington and Williamstown. Guidelines for acceptance and participation in our programs are the same for everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, or religion. Our dedicated staff works to assist each individual to reach his or her goals. Within the last year, approximately 5,000 individuals (8% of the population of Washington County) benefited from the services offered by WCMHS. Five percent of these individuals participated in multiple programs offered across the agency’s divisions, receiving direct services. The remaining 3% were served through educational sessions, community forums, extended family and other non-billable services.

Never a bad time to learn.
11/17/2025

Never a bad time to learn.

Need a little help with food this month? You’re not alone.Washington County has several free and confidential food resou...
11/14/2025

Need a little help with food this month? You’re not alone.
Washington County has several free and confidential food resources available for individuals and families. Check out the List of Food resources in Central Vermont, Please call ahead to verify times as they may change and see holiday meal options too.

Everyone deserves access to good food. If you or someone you serve needs support, reach out — we’re here to help.

STAFF SPOTLIGHTS at WCMHS Annual Meeting 2025What an inspiring evening celebrating connection, compassion, and community...
11/12/2025

STAFF SPOTLIGHTS at WCMHS Annual Meeting 2025

What an inspiring evening celebrating connection, compassion, and community!

From heartfelt stories shared during The Moth @ WCMHS to honoring this year’s incredible award recipients, the night reminded us that together, every small act makes a big difference.

A night of stories, Awards, shout outs and connections!

Thank you to our staff, board, and community partners for making this evening so special and to everyone who joined us to celebrate the power of community and kindness.

🎧 Guests also experienced our impact videos through headphones, featuring our programs, clients, and history, a beautiful reminder of the work we do together every day. Keep an eye out for the videos.

Today, we honor and thank all who have served in the United States Armed Forces.Your courage, dedication, and sacrifice ...
11/11/2025

Today, we honor and thank all who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Your courage, dedication, and sacrifice make a lasting difference in our communities and our nation.

At Washington County Mental Health Services, we recognize that coming home can bring its own challenges and we are here to support our veterans and their families every step of the way.

💙 To all veterans: Thank you for your service.

Feel Good Friday!Like two roses sharing one stem, we’re reminded that resilience grows through connection. If worries ab...
11/07/2025

Feel Good Friday!

Like two roses sharing one stem, we’re reminded that resilience grows through connection.

If worries about SNAP or the shutdown are weighing heavy, know this help, hope, and community are right here beside you.

Whether it’s sharing a meal, checking in on a neighbor, or connecting someone to local resources, small acts of kindness make a big difference.

11/04/2025

For 38 years, Paul’s been a partner, mentor, and role model — blending music, humor, and compassion into everything he does.

From playing tunes for Day Programs to mentoring others in the Green Mountain Workforce, Paul’s legacy is pure harmony.

Here’s to 38 years of care, connection, and a few good puppy cuddles along the way. 💙

11/04/2025

For 38 years, Paul’s been a partner, mentor, and role model — blending music, humor, and compassion into everything he does.
From playing tunes for Day Programs to mentoring others in the Green Mountain Workforce, Paul’s legacy is pure harmony.
Here’s to 38 years of care, connection, and a few good puppy cuddles along the way. 💙

In collaboration with the Montpelier Tree Board, Single Steps program has a new resident... Freeman Maple tree is helpin...
11/03/2025

In collaboration with the Montpelier Tree Board, Single Steps program has a new resident... Freeman Maple tree is helping WCMHS grow.

No matter how you feel inside YOU are not alone. WCMHS is here for you.
10/31/2025

No matter how you feel inside YOU are not alone. WCMHS is here for you.

Su***de prevention does not only happen in the month of September it happens everyday at WCMHS. Check out our very own M...
10/29/2025

Su***de prevention does not only happen in the month of September it happens everyday at WCMHS. Check out our very own Mike Uthmann from HR and Zero Su***de Committee representative presenting at VHMA Annual Conference on Cultural Competency and Su***de Prevention.

Remember if you need help we are here for you! Call 988 if you are in crisis

Feel Good Friday: Thank you to the local legislators who joined us for our Legislative Breakfast at Sunrise yesterday! W...
10/24/2025

Feel Good Friday:
Thank you to the local legislators who joined us for our Legislative Breakfast at Sunrise yesterday! We had a vibrant, thoughtful conversation about the important work happening across all of our divisions, with deep dives into Housing, Substance Use Services, School-Based Supports, Access to Services, and Funding.

It was a wonderful morning of connection, collaboration, and shared commitment to strengthening our community.

10/22/2025

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Hélène Gosselin 🌟
WCMHS legend • Crisis advocate • Alpaca whisperer • Parrot mom
Her heart for helping others shines as bright as her smile!

Hélène first joined WCMHS in 1995, working in CDS at Kynoch and Sunrise House. After a short break, she returned in 2010 as a full-blown screener and has been a compassionate force ever since.

She says her work humbles her every day: “I love helping and advocating for folks who are experiencing a mental health crisis.”

Outside of work, Hélène’s world is full of life, literally...
Her alpacas, honeybees, and pets bring her so much joy, and for nearly 15 years, her beloved African grey parrot Mongo kept the team entertained.

And if that’s not amazing enough…
Hélène made history as the first female firefighter in her small Canadian town back in 1992!

Thank you, Hélène, for bringing humor, and humanity to everything you do.

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885 South Barre Road
Barre, VT
05641

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Our Story

Washington County Mental Health Services (WCMHS) is designated by Vermont Statute to provide a wide variety of support and treatment opportunities for children, adolescents, families, and adults living with the challenges of mental illness, emotional and behavioral issues, developmental disabilities and substance use. These services are both office and community-based through outreach. The range of services offered includes prevention and wellness, assessment and stabilization, and 24-hours a day, seven-days a week emergency response. WCMHS is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit Community Mental Health Center. The agency was established under this name in 1967 and proudly celebrated our 50th year of serving our community.

We take a flexible approach to person-centered care for citizens within Washington County and the adjacent towns of Orange, Washington and Williamstown. Guidelines for acceptance, inclusion and participation in our programs are the same for everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, or religion. Our dedicated staff works to assist each individual to reach his or her goals. Within the last year, approximately 5,000 individuals (eight percent of the population of Washington County) benefited from the services offered by WCMHS. Five percent of these individuals participated in multiple programs offered across the agency’s divisions. The remaining three percent were served through educational sessions, community forums, extended family and other services.

Our Mission: Washington County Mental Health Services advocates the inclusion of all persons into our communities and actively encourages Self-Determination and Recovery. We serve all individuals and families coping with the challenges of developmental and intellectual disabilities, mental health and substance use by providing trauma informed* services to support them as they achieve their highest potential and best possible quality of life.

*Trauma informed services are not designed to treat symptoms or syndromes related to abuse or trauma. Instead, the primary purpose is to deliver mental health, treatment for addictions, housing supports, vocational or employment counseling services, etc., in a manner that acknowledges the role that trauma plays in the lives of most consumers of mental health and substance misuse services. This understanding is used to design service systems that accommodate the vulnerabilities of trauma survivors and allow services to be delivered in a way that will facilitate consumer participation that is appropriate and helpful to the special needs of trauma survivors.