Brattleboro Retreat's mission on PTSD

New initiatives at Brattleboro Retreat will mean many more jobs for region
By BOB AUDETTE, Reformer Staff



Monday, March 23
BRATTLEBORO -- For the past two years, the Brattleboro Retreat's chief executive officer has been ushering in a new era at the 175-year-old institution. At the same time, Rob Simpson is also bringing back what made the Retreat so special.

One of the simplest things -- and one of the most effective -- that he has implemented was a change in the name, from Retreat Healthcare to the Brattleboro Retreat.

"That's who we are. It's important to go back and be who we are," said Simpson.

Later this year, the Retreat is hosting its 175th anniversary.

This year, Simpson is introducing three new programs to the Retreat that will create new jobs and bring new patients to the facility.

"We will be bringing new jobs to Brattleboro," said Simpson, who wouldn't say exactly how many. "If these programs work, there will be a significant number of new employees added."

While he will be looking for those with highly specialized skills -- such as social workers, psychiatrists, counselors and nurses -- he will also be looking for new support staff.

The first program is for uniformed service workers, such as police, firefighters and emergency responders.

People in those career fields have a 300 percent higher incidence of post traumatic stress disorder than the general population, he said, and have a higher incidence of domestic violence, substance abuse, divorce and depression.
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