Listen Up Project Partnership Reached Thousands of Vermonters

We believe that access to mental health care is just as important as access to physical health care. That’s why we advocate for mental health services for all Vermonters and partner with many organizations across Vermont that address mental health needs.

One of those partnerships was the Listen Up! Project, an original touring musical inspired, written, scored, and performed by Vermont youth. We sponsored this project so that youth could have a safe space to talk about their experiences and perspectives.

The musical production was based on eight months of interviews, workshops, conversations, and listening sessions with more than 800 Vermont youth. They bravely and openly shared their challenges regarding family life, diversity and inclusion, mental health, anxiety, and substance use – issues that we know have a profound impact on their health and well-being.

The Listen Up Project had a profound impact on so many Vermonters. Here are some of the highlights of how the project inspired important conversations for families and communities:

• More than 1,300 people attended seven live Listen Up! Project shows held across the state.
• To increase the project’s reach, a Listen Up! film was developed.
• The film has been screened at 33 schools, pairing it with Q&A panels, curriculum cards, and workshops. Additional school screenings will be added.
• We offered stipends to 12 schools to cover costs relating to screenings.  
• The film has also been screened in more than 21 communities and conferences, with six more currently being planned.
• We hosted a screening and Q&A panel at the Vermont State House to get these important perspectives in front of policymakers. 
• Vermont Public Television is currently showing the film in a three-month streaming event.
• An innovative deck of cards was created to be used in schools, containing writing prompts and artistic and theatrical activities.

Even though our Listen Up! Project sponsorship has come to an end, we hope that the discussion it created will continue across the state, and we will continue to support the well-being of Vermont youth and all Vermonters.

If you would like to use the film and discussion card deck in your school, you can request free copies.