Following a summer event that encouraged teens to learn about harm reduction while enjoying free hamburgers and playing outdoor games, Steamboat Springs Teen Council members are hosting their next event as a free “boba bash” on Tuesday evening for all high school students.

The free Bubble Tea Trick and Treat party to promote healthy youth connections will start at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Causeway Coffee House, 427 Oak St., in Steamboat. The event will feature boba tea-making, pumpkin painting and cookie decorating contests, and giveaways.

This year Steamboat Springs Teen Council is focusing on the Youth For Youth, or Y4Y, campaign to support youth mental health, promote local resources and raise awareness, Teen Council President Sunny Winn said.

The group’s fun and educational Hamburgers and Harm Reduction in July featured a free cookout and peer-to-peer education on substance misuse topics. The event featured door prizes, games, and free harm reduction kits with proper training on how to use Nalaxone, a medication designed to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.

Winn said the Steamboat Springs Teen Council is dedicated to fostering positive change in the community through youth empowerment. Nonprofit Partners for Youth oversees youth council groups in Steamboat, Hayden and Craig.

“We seek to create a healthy and safe environment where teens can use their voices to advocate for issues they care about,” Winn said. “As part of our commitment to this, we host sober, safe events, meetings and community involvement projects.”

“Part of the goal of Teen Council by providing events is to encourage connection between peers and provide outlets showing people there are a multitude of ways to socialize within Steamboat that are substance-free events that can be fun,” Winn said. “Teen Council wants to work to make students aware of resources and also provide some alternative information for teens to make their own decisions regarding their mental health and substance use.”

The Youth For Youth campaign will highlight a different mental health topic every few months such as promoting well-being and self-care during the holiday season, breaking the stigma of talking about mental health challenges, and discussing common mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and stress.

The Teen Council is planning upcoming programs such as pet-a-puppy therapy, movie night, breathwork and yoga, and an art therapy mural. Individuals can connect with Steamboat Springs Teen Council via Instagram or by emailing sarah@partnersyouth.org.

The Hayden Youth Action Council will host its inaugural event with a screening of the original movie “Beetlejuice” 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at the Hayden Center. The event for students ages 12 to 18 will include free popcorn and drinks, goodie bags and gift card giveaways.

This year the Moffat County Teen Council is focusing on resources to help teens quit vaping, said Partners’ Empowerment Program Coordinator Mackenzie Mixon. The MoCo Teen Council recently hosted two well-attended clean-and-sober Fifth Quarter events for students with movie and bowling nights. The next event in Craig is a free ice skating event on Nov. 1 for middle and high school students, with more information on Instagram or by emailing mackenzie@partnersyouth.org.