Managing Mental Health in the Mountains

As the importance of mental health continues to be addressed and recognized as a safety issue for backcountry users, TCSAR Foundation was proud to organize a recent workshop detailing the ins and outs of stress trauma and psychological first aid.

On March 5, 2024, local TIPS therapists Lewis Smirl and Ryan Burke led 50 first responders, mental health practitioners, mountain guides, and community members passionate about psychological first aid through a workshop on ‘Managing Mental Health in the Mountains.’

Ryan Burke is a local therapist who works with the Teton Interagency Peer Support group, commonly known as TIPs. Photo: Taylor Fasolo

After a brief deep dive into the neuroscience of stress exposure, Lewis and Ryan facilitated an open conversation about the interface of mountain town culture and trauma. Participant questions underlined the prevalence of ‘stress injuries’ in Jackson and the stigma that can exist surrounding peer and professional support.

Therapist Lewis Smirl engages with the audience on March 5 at the Black Diamond store in downtown Jackson. Photo: Taylor Fasolo

Thank you to Black Diamond for hosting, Yeah Buddy for providing pizza, and Lewis, Ryan, and everyone who attended for making this night so meaningful. Mental health is incident prevention and we appreciate your commitment to normalizing these conversations.

If you need stress injury support, check out Responder Alliance, Mountain Muskox, Redside Foundation, Soar4Life, and the Community Counseling Center of JH. And don’t forget all Teton County first responders get FREE access to therapy thanks to the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole’s Teton Interagency Peer Support (TIPS) program.

TCSAR Foundation will continue to make this issue a priority in our educational programming. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to be alerted when new classes are scheduled. You can find all of our programming on the events page at Backcountry Zero.

AMPL and TCSAR Foundation Partner to Install New Beacon Checker Stations at Popular Trailheads

Ten new beacon checker stations help snow riders be better prepared for backcountry adventures.

Jackson, Wyo. — Backcountry users now have access to 10 additional avalanche beacon checker stations thanks to a partnership between AMPL and Teton County Search and Rescue Foundation. Several of the new stations provide safety messaging and infrastructure to areas frequented by snowmobilers. The new stations are located at the following trailheads: Coal Creek, Phillips Bench, Mosquito Creek, North Fork Fall Creek, Dog Creek/Pritchard, Cliff Creek, Brush Creek (Toppings Lake), with another three going up on Togwotee Pass, including top of Togwotee, Breccia Cliffs access, and Angle Mountain access.

Will Mook from AMPL demonstrates the new beacon checker station at Mosquito Creek. Photo: TCSAR Foundation

The process started two years ago when AMPL raised the funds to purchase five beacon checker stations. TCSAR Foundation, through its Backcountry Zero initiative, helped raise money for additional stations from a local men’s group alongside the Stephen P. Adamson, Jr., Memorial Fund.

“AMPL's goal of installing beacon checkers was to promote safe, responsible recreation by bringing avalanche awareness to popular trailheads around the county,” said Will Mook, Executive Director of AMPL. “Beacon checkers serve as a great reminder that the terrain accessible from these trailheads can be consequential avalanche terrain, and users should be prepared before leaving the parking lot. If these signs save just one life, they will have been worth the investment.”

Each station includes a QR code directly to the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center forecast, a checklist for proper safety equipment, and prompts to consider the consequences of your decisions. They also include a flashing indicator that shows whether your avalanche beacon is transmitting.

The green circle indicates that your avalanche beacon is properly transmitting. Photo: TCSAR Foundation

“The beacon checkers are an amazing resource, both to answer the ‘are you beeping question’ and to visually remind people that this is something to stop and think about before heading out,” said Liz King, Associate Director for TCSAR Foundation. “While they don’t replace a proper transceiver check with your partners, these units will help ensure no one enters the backcountry without a transmitting beacon.”

R is for Rescue: A new TCSAR Coloring Book Features the A to Z's of SAR

How do Teton County Search & Rescue volunteers stay fit for duty? What do the terms "pumpkin hour" and "screamer suit" mean? What does a "short haul" look like?  

Answers to these questions and more can be found in Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation’s new publication, R is for Rescue, an activity and coloring book now available at Valley Books, JH Book Trader, Wilson Book Gallery, Teton Toys, and on TCSAR's website (www.tetoncountysar.org/shop).  

R is for Rescue contains custom coloring sheets, word searches, 'Mad Libs', a helicopter maze, and a big glossary of SAR vocabulary. The book is designed to introduce members of the TCSAR team, to show what training and rescues actually look like, and familiarize readers with the vocabulary of mountain rescue. Ages 8 and up.

R is for Rescue sells for $9.95. Wholesale inquiries may be directed to caryn@tetoncountysar.org. All 100 percent of proceeds benefit TCSAR.