Dear Governor Shumlin,
We are writing as representatives of the psychiatric survivor, advocacy and
professional community to commend you and the State on the rapid response to the sudden closure of the Vermont State Hospital (VSH) as a result of Tropical Storm Irene. Administration staff, state employees, VSH patients and community providers worked together to safely evacuate the facility and rapidly arrange interim placements for all 51 patients. We know there are many unsung heroes among them, and want to acknowledge that the struggle that began that night is ongoing.
We are writing at this time to collectively urge you not to reopen VSH; even on an interim basis. The decision to close the hospital predated the tropical storm.
It is a position you advocated as a legislator, candidate, and most recently, as Governor. It was the right decision then and it is the right decision now.
There is widespread consensus that VSH is an outdated facility, inappropriate
for contemporary mental health care. Concerns about safety have only
intensified since the storm. Let’s not spend any more tax dollars on that
outdated and inadequate building. Instead, let’s work together, with broad
community dialogue and user input, on the design, development and
implementation of a comprehensive continuum of services designed to meet the needs of Vermonters with mental health conditions and addictions.
The decisions we make in the coming weeks and months will define the nature
and quality of care for decades to come. Let’s make sure we seize this
opportunity to do it right.
Thank you again for your ongoing efforts on behalf of all Vermonters.
Ed Paquin
Executive Director, Disability Rights Vermont
Signing for:
Robert Appel, Executive Director, for the Vermont Human Rights Commission
Rick Barnett, Psy.D., Stowe
Morgan W. Brown, Montpelier
Linda Corey, Executive Director, Vermont Psychiatric Survivors (VPS)
David Gallagher, DRVT Board Vice President, for the DRVT Board of Directors
Bethany Knight, NHA, Glover, Vt
Sarah Launderville, Executive Director, Vermont Center for Independent Living
Deborah Lisi‐Baker, Waterbury
Jack McCullough, Director, Mental Health Law Project of Vermont Legal Aid
Rilla A. Murray, M.S. (Soc.Adm.), DrPH
Sally S. Parrish, RN, Mental Health Advocate, South Burlington
Ann Raynolds, Psy.D., Windsor County
Marty Roberts, Board President, VPS
Michael Sabourin, Marshfield
Curtis Sinclair, former VSH staff
Xenia Williams, Barre Town (formerly of Putney)
Laura Ziegler, Plainfield
