Mental Health Fun Run May 29

Caribou Medical Center’s Counselor Ashley Wright and Development Director Erika Dannelly are excited to discuss next week’s Fun Run, scheduled to take place outside the hospital starting Thursday May 29 at 8:00 pm.  8:00 pm is the start time for the mile race, which is open to kids 12 years and under without any registration fee.  A 5K race will start at 8:30 pm, with a movie activity planned for kids at the same time that should allow parents who want to participate in the longer race the ability to do so. 

The 1 mile race will begin at the stated time outside the CMC building, with a starting line at the Physical Therapy Door.  Every runner who completes the race will receive a medal and a coupon for Blizzard Ice for finishing.  After the run, the Pixar film “Inside Out” will be screened on the grass outside the CMC building.  Inside Out is a PG film that deals with the turbulent onset of adolescent emotions in a humorous manner.

The 5K race has a $25 registration fee, which will provide runners with a T-shirt, and a sense of satisfaction for helping their local community.  Proceeds from the event will be directed toward CMC Social Services and Mental Health Transportation Services “Acute Rescue.”  The route will start at PT door, head down 3rd West, take a right onto 4th S, pass Clark pond and down to second bridge, where a turn around and hydration station will be waiting.

For Ashley Wright, who provides counseling services through Caribou Medical Center, this is the first Fun Run event she has been involved with at CMC.  “This is the first of many, I hope,” Wright said.  “All of proceeds go to mental health programs here at the hospital, such as counseling and psychiatric services.”  In addition, money received will also go to support transport to behavioral health facilities the broader area, including Utah, Boise, and  Pocatello for cases where CMC is not equipped to meet the needs of the patient.  

A number of different kinds of fundraisers/awareness campaigns have been done in the past, and seen a good response from the community.  “People know from their own experience that mental health is important,” Wright said.  “Most people, either themselves or someone they know, can benefit from some sort of service.”

Anyone who thinks that might apply to them (and statistics certainly show it probably does), can contact Ashley Wright through CMC to inquire about counseling services, or setting up an appointment.  Wright provides marriage counseling, play therapy (for young patients), and counseling for adults and adolescents.  She is also a part of CISM (Crisis Incident Stress Management) teams that are called upon when first responders need counseling after handling especially difficult events.  The recent fatality crash on Government Dam Road was one such event.

The Fun Run takes place during Mental Health Awareness Month, which is designed to reduce stigma associated with seeking mental health services and make people aware of the kinds of services that might make a huge difference in their lives.  At the daily, maintenance level, almost everyone can benefit from having a sounding board and a trained listener to provide strategies for reducing stress, dealing with anxiety, managing emotional reactions, and so on.  At the more urgent level, one national number holds that every 11 minutes in the U.S. someone dies by suicide.  The suicide rate across the country has been increasing for years, and Idaho itself has the 6th highest rate of fatal self-harm in the country.  Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young adults, ages 15-24.  While the numbers are small compared to more populous states, the suicide rate in Idaho is 11.9%.  In Caribou County specifically, that rate is calculated at a staggering 13.7%.

As Mental Health Awareness Month also corresponds with Memorial Day, it is worth pointing out that all statistics related to suicide and mental health are increasingly dire when it comes to veterans.  PTSD and depression affect veterans at a level of up to 1 in 5, or 20%.  

Teenagers are another population in Caribou County that has increased mental health care needs, even in the healthiest of situations.  Adolescence and issues related to peer pressure, body changes, social media, and so on can have a major impact on developing psyches, and counseling services can be a life raft.

Rural populations are also among those most likely to suffer from mental health stressors, primarily due to economic pressures, isolation, and a lack of healthy peer communication outlets.  Mine workers fall into many of the same categories, and Wright has worked with many local farmers and miners in a way that was found to be beneficial by the patients.

According to the Health Department in a recent study, the average wait time for first time mental health consultations is about 12-14 weeks.  CMC’s counseling appointments are only about 2 weeks out, and can be expedited or referred in emergencies.

Members of the community and businesses can still sponsor raffle items if they would like.  For every mile participants run, they will get a raffle ticket to win one of the many donated prizes, such as: running shoes, Lallatins gift card, protein balls, High Ftiness classes, and more.  

Contact Caribou Medical Center, or visit their website or Facebook page for more details.  (208) 547-2766.  The Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at (800) 273-8255.