GILLETTE, Wyo.—A statewide campaign to increase mental health awareness and the importance of self-care in state parks this summer is underway, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon’s office said Friday.
The campaign, a partnership between the Wyoming State Parks and Cheyenne Regional Medical Center under the banner “You Matter,” tells state park users around Wyoming how they can reach out for help either by phone or by text if they need to, per a May 27 release.
“More can be done, and we are actively engaged in this area, but I’m glad to see this effort underway,” Gordon said in the release.
The governor expressed his goal for the partnership to highlight how Wyoming state parks can be used to support the mental health and well-being of Wyoming citizens while letting them know that help is available.
— Advertisement – Story Continues Below —
“We are proud to partner with a great team and we know that the program will be successful in raising awareness,” said Darin Westby, director of the Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources.
The benefits of spending time outdoors and their positive effect on mental health are reportedly well-documented, as are the mental health benefits of exercise, per the release.
Wyoming has now joined 34 other states participating in the Governor’s Challenge on Suicide Prevention which is a partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The partnership will seek to develop and implement statewide suicide prevention best practices for service members, veterans, and their families, according to the release.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of harming themselves, please call 911. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text “WYO” to 741-741 for the Crisis Text Line
