About This Event
Join us for NAMI Vermont’s virtual Lunch & Learn series, held on the first Wednesday of every month from 12:00–1:00 p.m. Each session features a different topic related to mental health, wellness, advocacy, and community support.
Whether you’re a peer, family member, provider, or simply curious to learn more, these one-hour sessions offer valuable insights and practical tools in a relaxed, lunchtime format.
We hope you can join us for our next lunchtime chat!
Lunch & Learn Schedule
- When: First Wednesday of every month
- Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET
- Where: Online via Zoom
- Cost: Free (registration required)
How to Participate
Registration is required to attend. Once registered, you’ll receive a Zoom link and reminders ahead of each session. Learn more about our speakers and their journeys below.
What to Expect
- Expert speakers or panelists
- Interactive Q&A
- Resources and follow-up materials
Topics will vary month to month — check back often for updates and follow us on social media to stay informed!
Front Porch is Vermont’s first 24/7 mental health urgent care and crisis stabilization residence offering a home-like, compassionate environment for individuals experiencing emotional or psychiatric crisis. This session will provide an overview of what a crisis stabilization stay looks like—from arrival and supportive interventions to length of stay and post-crisis follow-up planning. We’ll also discuss how families, providers, peers, and support networks can remain involved, ask informed questions, and help create a smooth transition back to community life.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Define the role of a Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) in mental health care, including the types of crises it addresses and the supports it provides.
- Describe the care team and services available, including therapeutic interventions and the importance of trauma-informed, person-centered approaches.
- Explain what to expect during a crisis stay, including typical length of stay and factors that influence it.
- Identify key components of post-crisis follow-up, such as discharge planning, community-based supports, and the role of follow-up appointments.
- Empower individuals and families to ask informed questions before, during, and after a crisis stabilization stay.
About the Presenter:
Josh Burke, LICSW, is the Director of Emergency Services at Northeast Kingdom Human Services, where he oversees the region’s crisis continuum, including Mobile Crisis, the 988 Lifeline call center, embedded crisis clinicians, and Front Porch — Vermont’s first 24/7 mental health urgent care and stabilization. Josh has more than a decade of experience in community mental health, systems development, and crisis service innovation across rural and urban settings. His work focuses on building trauma-informed, person-centered alternatives to emergency department reliance, ensuring individuals and families can access care in moments of need without barriers. In addition to his leadership role, Josh maintains a psychotherapy practice and serves in community support roles in the Northeast Kingdom, where he lives with his wife and children.
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) is an evidence-based therapy created to help people develop control of their behavior, emotions, and thoughts. There are four specific skill sets within DBT that can be used together to decrease impulsivity, regulate emotions, and guide decisions. In this talk, we will provide an overview of the four skill sets and how they can be used to manage BIG emotions.
Learning Objectives
- Participants will develop a basic understanding of DBT.
- Participants will be able to identify the four core DBT skill sets.
- Participants will understand how DBT skills can be used to manage BIG emotions.
About the Presenter
Beth Salvi-Hudgins, LICSW, is the Founder of DBT For You, an organization founded in 2021 with the mission of increasing awareness of and access to DBT language, treatment, and training.
Beth graduated with her MSW from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1994 and has worked as a clinician with youth and families in NH since 1995. Beth has extensive training in DBT and trauma treatment for adolescents and young adults. She is passionate about teaching DBT skills to help people live safe and meaningful lives.