As March comes to a close, snow melts and our favorite activities come to an end, it’s important to remember that the whole valley is in this together. CB State of Mind recognizes April as mental health awareness month, even though it is nationally recognised in May, to help combat the rise in substance abuse that typically plagues the valley as the ski season and seasonal jobs wrap up.
The Green Light Campaign is a valley wide effort to remind community members that they’re never alone. Simply pick up a green light bulb from CB State of Mind and replace a visible light outside your home, shining a light on mental health.
Why green? Green signifies growth and new beginnings, and is also the nationally recognized color for mental health awareness. CBSoM invites community members to participate. The green bulbs are free and can be picked up in different locations around the valley. Check their website for more details.
“Will you shine a light with us?" said CBSoM director Meghan Dougherty.
CB State of Mind has set up valley wide events all month long to help bring people together. These events include but aren’t limited to sound bath yoga, breathwork, Safe Talks, “In This Together” free group chats with local therapists, and grief counseling. CBSoM also partners with other local nonprofits like Juntos Por Gunnison to make sure every corner of the valley feels represented in tough times.
The main goal of CB State of Mind is to remind community members that we’re all in this together. “We have a place for you to turn to if you need to help,” said Dougherty.
Dougherty reflected on this past season, noting that it’s been an exceptionally hard one for locals. The lack of snow and loss of valued community members have weighed heavily on the valley.
"We are seeing a staggering trend in scholarship requests [which] have doubled compared to this time last year,” said Dougherty. “As we head into April for Mental Health Awareness Month, these numbers prove that our community is ready to break the silence. Through our Green Light Campaign, we are working to reduce stigma across the Gunnison Valley.”
Even in communities as tight knit as Gunnison, loneliness has become an epidemic. CBSoM and other events like the Dilly Deli’s “Mutual Aid Mondays” are attempting to break out of the terrible cycle locals have found themselves in, and fight hard to maintain a sense of community in these trying times. About half of U.S. adults now report significant daily stress or worry, about 50% of adults report experiencing loneliness and many report having fewer close friends. Also, economic stressors, especially in the past year, have caused an added level of stress to community members. CBSoM is facing these challenges head on with free counseling and events to remind people just how close our community is.
“Together, we can shine a light on mental health and help our neighbors know that they don’t have to fight mental health challenges alone.”
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