Hotel Vermont recognizes the ongoing need to have open and honest conversation around mental health for our individual and collective wellbeing. As a community gathering space, we are taking the opportunity to further our advocacy by presenting a mental heath “Check In Night” in partnership with NAMI Vermont and other local mental health organizations. We are extending complimentary overnights to a selection of nominated Vermonters to attend a series of mental health related training sessions, lived-experience storytelling, and networking held at the hotel on Monday, January 9.

Our hope is to further de-stigmatize conversations around mental health and equip the community with the tools to support friends, family, coworkers, the wider Vermont community, and themselves. This spans from the ability to recognizing signs, address symptoms, navigate hard conversations, and knowing where to look when you need further professional guidance.

Hotel Vermont will extend this opportunity to Vermonters by asking the community to nominate individuals (or themselves) that they feel will benefit most from these programs: those that display the willingness to share new tools and resources, be an active peer mentor, and continue open mental health conversation. These individuals will enjoy an overnight at the hotel full of training, community networking, and storytelling in hopes that they leave as mental health advocates and mentors in their respective communities following these programs.

PARTICIPANTS

Attendees will be selected from a pool of nominated community members. In accepting the overnight stay, participants are making a promise to attend the scheduled programming with the intention of leaving as a peer mentor and mental health resource in their workspaces, family, friends, and or wider community. Nominate a peer (or yourself!) below.

NOMINATION FORM

Nominees will be notified of their participation on January 3.

PROGRAM

MONDAY EVENING, 1/9, FROM 5-8:30PM

3-5pm: Guest Check-in

5pm: NAMI In Our Own Voice Presentation (1 hour)
In Our Own Voice (IOOV) is an interactive presentation that harnesses the power of personal stories to change attitudes, assumptions, and stereotypes about people living with mental health conditions. Two trained presenters with lived experience of a mental health condition talk openly about their experiences and how they have found pathways to hope and healing. Audience members have the opportunity to ask questions, learn more about mental health, and challenge misconceptions.

6pm: Dinner

6:30pm: Workshop

Educational workshop on mental health and suicide prevention. How to help someone in crisis. Sharing of resources available.

7:15pm: Moderated Panel Discussion featuring
Joe & Sue Hoeppner of Project Hoeppner
Alexina Federhen, Miss Vermont 2022, founder of The Feel Better Way
Steven Berbeco of Mental Health Initiative, a program of United Way of Northwest Vermont

Tuesday MORNING, 1/10, from 8:30-10am

Grazing and networking breakfast with standing round tables and opportunity to connect with a wide range of local mental health-related organization exhibit tables.

Joined by:

• Howard Center’s Burlington Street Outreach
• Howard Center’s Community Outreach Team
• Howard Center’s First Call for Chittenden County
• Turning Point
• Pathways Vermont
• HOPE Works

Thanks to our sponsor, the Mental Health Initiative, a program of United Way of Northwest Vermont, for helping us host this event.