Office of Primary Care and Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program

Jeremiah Dickerson, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry

(FEBRUARY 1, 2023) Jeremiah Dickerson, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry, spoke with WCAX-TV about an annual state child welfare report showing an increase in the number of Vermont children who are experiencing anxiety and depression—from nearly 9% to nearly 14% in just two years.

While every behavioral and mental health instance is unique, experts agree the pandemic has played a role. It doesn’t help that a staffing crisis plagues the state’s mental health system, with over 1,000 vacancies in the workforce, including school interventionists and clinicians at state facilities, not to mention specific rural challenges like isolation and access to services.

“The challenges are not behind us yet,” Dickerson said, “but I also want everyone to consider that kids are resilient, right, families are resilient. We are learning more and more about how to cultivate that resiliency.”