Crisis, Care and Community: A Year of Impact in Mental Health Urgent Care 

Gabby Makatura remembers when her life reached a breaking point. After leaving a high-stress job for what was supposed to be a period of reflection and transition, anxiety and uncertainty took hold, leaving Gabby numb and disconnected. A series of escalating panic attacks left Gabby seeking care and support in the emergency department at UVM Medical Center; she was soon back at home and facing the same challenges. It wasn’t until Gabby’s mother, visiting from out of state, learned about Howard Center’s Mental Health Urgent Care Center in Burlington and convinced her to visit, that she found what felt like a stable path forward. Opened in October of 2024, the Center is a partnership between Howard Center, Pathways Vermont, Community Health Centers, UVM Medical Center, and the Vermont Department of Mental Health. Join us as we look back on the Center’s first year providing mental health support services, and speak with mental health experts about the impact it has made, the services available, and mental health needs and challenges across our region. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 802-488-7777 in Vermont or call, text or chat 988 in New York.