JACKSON, Wyo. — Since its launch in May 2023, over 2,000 local users have accessed the online mental health platform CredibleMind, offered free by the Teton County Health Department.
The site offers curated and scientifically backed mental health self-care resources through free access to assessments that help users understand their mental health. Resources include expert-reviewed apps, podcasts, books, articles and videos covering hundreds of mental health topics; and tools to recognize symptoms and patterns, and to help build coping skills.
Frances Wachs, Teton County Health Department Public Health Specialist for Community Prevention, told Buckrail that three out of four people who experience mental distress are interested in turning to self-help options before seeking therapy or medication.
“At first, people just want to kind of learn and know what they can do on their own,” Wachs said. “In that initial phase, they are looking for self-treatment.”
Wachs explained that this data point informed the Creation of CredibleMind and its implementation in the community. Since its launch, over 2,700 sessions have been completed and there have been 570 self-assessments taken by users.
“These folks were likely not getting help,” Wachs said.
In January the Health Department launched a marketing campaign, using funds from the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole’s Behavioral Health Initiatives Grant, and saw the highest month of engagement with 320 individual sessions and 256 site users.
April was the second highest engagement month with 228 individual sessions and 196 site users.
“This data from April was important to us as it showed there is a need in typical ‘off-seasons’ for people looking to engage with mental health resources,” Wachs said. “Community members may have more time in between high work seasons to learn and reflect on things that have come up for them.”
This real-time data helps the Health Department respond to the needs of the community, says Wachs, but she assured Buckrail that no personal information is shared when the data is collected.
“Once topics hit a certain number [accessed], the Health Department hears that it’s a ‘trending need in the community,’” she said.
Trending topics locally include depression, anxiety, stress, nutrition and parenting/attachment style, which Wachs says, “shows people are struggling and trying to seek help and learn new ways of thinking and coping that is healthy for their lives and social networks.”
Wachs explained that CredibleMInd can create resources specific to the community, and has already curated resources specifically for first responders.
“We are hoping to continue to respond to the needs of the community as we look forward, and not only through marketing but in-person to help destigmatize these topics,” Wachs said, noting that the Health Department already shares mental health resources at in-person events like the People’s Market but have goals to get into spaces where mental health discussions are not integrated currently.
“At some events, people express gratitude for the Health Department just showing up and talking about mental health,” Wachs said.
“We’ve noticed the community’s interest and willingness to engage in harder topics,” Wachs said, adding that they plan to build on this momentum.
Editor’s Note: The Health Department sponsored articles on Buckrail to promote CredibleMind. The Community Foundation of Jackson Hole is a Buckrail community partner.
If you are in crisis and need support now, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for yourself or if you are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
