Routt County is situated in what is known as the “suicide belt,” a region on the Western Slope where suicide rates are significantly higher than the national average. In the past, the focus in Routt County has primarily been on providing resources for adults, often overlooking the mental health needs of youth.

Over the last year, the Steamboat Springs Teen Council has shifted its focus to address this gap by highlighting essential local and statewide resources for the youth community in Routt County.

Youth for Youth campaign

Steamboat Springs Teen Council is a part of Partners for Youth’s Youth Action Council (YAC) Program. The purpose of Youth Action Councils is to give teens a voice and empower them to make positive change in their community.

The Youth for Youth (Y4Y) campaign was launched by Steamboat Springs Teen Council in July 2024. Its goal is to encourage open discussions about mental health and create awareness of vital resources for youth within the Routt County community.

Over the past year, the campaign has focused on a new topic each month, covering issues such as substance misuse, the importance of connection, common mental health challenges, and other pressing concerns.

To educate the community about available resources and break the stigma surrounding mental health, the Y4Y campaign created social media content and organized various free teen events. These included a harm reduction event that covered naloxone training, and a yoga and sound bath session at Out Here Yoga. 

Impact on the community

One of the most impactful events organized by Steamboat Springs Teen Council was the “Boba Bash” at Causeway Coffee.

The primary goal for the event was to promote connection within the youth community. The “Boba Bash” attracted close to 100 young community members and had a variety of activities for youth to engage with one another and connect in a fun and safe environment.

By partnering with local organizations such as REPS, Queer Futures, the Yampa Valley Autism Program, La Cocina, Integrated Communities and Routt County Public Health, the Y4Y campaign has successfully established a strong presence and impact in the youth community.

Our collaborations with these organizations have played a vital role in promoting mental health awareness and local resources, while fostering a culture that embraces diverse perspectives and lived experiences. Currently, the campaign is concentrating on exploring intersectionality and its connection to mental health.

Y4Y and beyond

Steamboat Springs Teen Council will be hosting our last free event of the Y4Y campaign from 6-7 p.m. May 31 at Off the Beaten Path bookstore, where we will unveil our mural and focus on our final topic, “Breaking the Stigma.”

Teen Council remains committed to continuing our efforts to inspire positive change for the youth in Routt County.

To learn more about this campaign and follow what is coming up next, find us on Instagram @steamboatspringsteencouncil.