JACKSON, Wyo. — May is Mental Health Awareness Month. To observe the occasion, the Teton Behavioral Health Alliance has created a community calendar to showcase events and activities focusing on mental wellness.
The calendar lists 35 events throughout the month, hosted by 25 local organizations, according to the Alliance. Listings include educational workshops, yoga and wellness classes, meditation groups, parental guidance events, suicide prevention trainings, grief discussions and more. Most of the events listed are free, but note that some require fees.
“We want everyone in our community to know they’re not alone and that support is available,” Kate Schelbe with the Teton Behavioral Health Alliance said via press release. “Our hope is that this calendar makes it easier for individuals to participate in events that promote well-being as well as find the help they need.”
The Alliance shared data from the 2024 Community Behavioral Health Survey, noting that the Jackson community reported high rates of poor mental health and substance abuse.
“About one-third of respondents (34%) said they believe it’s hard for people in our community to talk about emotional struggles,” the release states. “On average, respondents reported experiencing poor mental health 7.6 days each month in 2024, up from 6.8 days in 2021— an 11% increase. More than 40% of people said that substance use had a negative impact on their lives — either personally or through someone they know.”
See the calendar at https://www.cfjacksonhole.org/behavioral-health-initiative.
