Youth Mental Health Summit

The Youth Mental Health Summit (YMHS) is Teton Youth & Family Services’ biennial gathering dedicated to understanding, discussing, and addressing the mental health challenges facing young people in the Mountain West. Over three days, youth, families, educators, mental health professionals, and community members come together for honest conversation, shared learning, and collaborative problem-solving.

Grounded in courage, compassion, and community partnership, the Summit exists to shine a light on difficult topics, especially suicide and the increasing impact of technology on youth mental health, and to inspire actionable, long-lasting solutions.

To create a safe, supportive, and informed space where our community can openly discuss youth mental health challenges, learn from experts, and move toward meaningful solutions.

A community where every young person feels seen, supported, and empowered, and where the adults who care for them have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to help them thrive.

Why Youth Mental Health Matters

Youth mental health concerns are rising nationwide, and Wyoming is no exception. Technology, social isolation, limited access to services, and the unique pressures facing youth in rural mountain communities all contribute to increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.

The Summit provides a rare chance for community-wide conversation, bringing together teens, families, educators, clinicians, and policymakers to better understand what young people are experiencing today and what we can do collectively to support them.

  • Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among youth ages 10–24.
  • Screen time, social media use, and digital isolation have been directly linked to increased anxiety and depressive symptoms.
  • Rural youth face additional barriers to mental health care, including geography, stigma, and limited resources.

The Youth Mental Health Summit exists because our young people deserve answers, support, and hope.

About the Inaugural Summit

The first Youth Mental Health Summit was held May 14–16, 2025, in Jackson Hole, bringing together hundreds of attendees - youth, parents, educators, mental health providers, nonprofit leaders, and policymakers - from across Wyoming and the Mountain West.

Highlights from YMHS 2025 Included:

Community Kickoff 

The Summit opened with a family-friendly gathering at Astoria Hot Springs featuring food, music, intention-setting, healing practitioners, and a Summit blessing.

Expert-Led Learning

Internationally recognized speakers and practitioners presented throughout the Summit, including:

  • Dr. Megan Moreno – adolescent health and digital well-being
  • Dr. Nicholas Kardaras – technology addiction and youth mental health
  • Clark Fairbanks, ACES trainer – childhood trauma and resilience
  • Dr. Drew Ramsey – nutrition and mental health
  • Senator Fred Baldwin – policy insights and community impact
  • Drew Petersen, athlete and mental health advocate

Hard Conversations & Healing Spaces

Attendees engaged in youth-led panels, listening sessions, applied stress management workshops, and facilitated discussions about suicide prevention, technology use, community resilience, and what young people say they need most.

Collaborative Solutions

Focus groups and policy dialogues allowed community members to reflect on what they heard, share their experiences, and explore actionable pathways to creating a healthier future for youth.

About the Inaugural Summit

The first Youth Mental Health Summit was held May 14–16, 2025, in Jackson Hole, bringing together hundreds of attendees - youth, parents, educators, mental health providers, nonprofit leaders, and policymakers - from across Wyoming and the Mountain West.

Highlights from YMHS 2025 Included:

Community Kickoff 

The Summit opened with a family-friendly gathering at Astoria Hot Springs featuring food, music, intention-setting, healing practitioners, and a Summit blessing.

Expert-Led Learning

Internationally recognized speakers and practitioners presented throughout the Summit, including:

  • Dr. Megan Moreno – adolescent health and digital well-being
  • Dr. Nicholas Kardaras – technology addiction and youth mental health
  • Clark Fairbanks, ACES trainer – childhood trauma and resilience
  • Dr. Drew Ramsey – nutrition and mental health
  • Senator Fred Baldwin – policy insights and community impact
  • Drew Petersen, athlete and mental health advocate

Hard Conversations & Healing Spaces

Attendees engaged in youth-led panels, listening sessions, applied stress management workshops, and facilitated discussions about suicide prevention, technology use, community resilience, and what young people say they need most.

Collaborative Solutions

Focus groups and policy dialogues allowed community members to reflect on what they heard, share their experiences, and explore actionable pathways to creating a healthier future for youth.

What We Learned

  • Youth want more safe spaces to talk about mental health, without stigma or judgment.

  • Adults need more education and support to understand digital-age challenges.

  • Community collaboration is essential; no single organization can solve this alone.

  • Mental health solutions must include both immediate support and long-term prevention.

  • Our community is ready - and hungry! - to have open, courageous conversations about suicide and technology.

The inaugural YMHS demonstrated just how powerful it is when a community comes together to talk about the hard stuff.

Looking Ahead

The Youth Mental Health Summit will continue every two years, with each event building on the insights, needs, and voices of our youth and community. TYFS remains committed to ensuring the Summit is accessible to all:

  • Free for youth (18 & under)
  • Adult scholarships available
  • Reduced lodging rates offered for out-of-town attendees

Together, we can create a stronger and more supportive environment for our young people, one conversation at a time.

Youth Mental Health Summit Micro-Events