09/03/26
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon to host Health Beyond Healthcare initiative workshop in Jackson Hole
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The second workshop of the Western Governors’ Association’s (WGA) Chair initiative, Health Beyond Healthcare, will be held in Jackson, Wyoming, on October 8 and 9 at the Trailborn Hotel.
This workshop, hosted by Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, will explore strategies to improve mental health access and delivery by addressing workforce shortages and the well-being of the western workforce. It will also examine efforts to prioritize upstream approaches and the effects of our environments on mental health.
"Mental health is a human issue that touches every family in every corner of our state, and while we’ve made tremendous progress in how we address mental health, there are still far too many gaps in care. Conversations like the ones we’ll have in Jackson during WGA’s Health Beyond Healthcare workshop can help us reduce stigma around mental health, figure out what’s working, where we’re falling short, and how we can build a better system for everyone."
View the agenda below and register here.
While the workshop is free to attend, registration is required. Please register in advance to reserve your spot.
Thursday, October 8
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11:15 am Trailborn Hotel |
Lunch |
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12:15 pm |
Welcome and Introductions Jack Waldorf, WGA Executive Director
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12:20 pm |
Panel 1: Addressing the Mental Health Workforce Gap Acute mental health workforce shortages have hindered the ability to provide comprehensive mental health services to western residents, especially in rural and underserved communities. This panel will explore ways to strengthen the workforce pipeline, address workforce gaps, and improve retention and well-being to support a sustainable mental health workforce.
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1:15 pm |
Break
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1:25 pm |
Panel 2: Well-Being in Western Industries Workers in rural western communities face unique mental health pressures tied to economic uncertainty and seasonal employment, isolation, stigma, and difficulty accessing traditional behavioral health services. This panel will examine factors contributing to elevated substance use and mental health challenges in these communities and explore locally led strategies to strengthen social connection, build resilience, and expand access to behavioral health resources.
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2:20 pm |
Break
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2:30 pm
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Panel 3: Mental Health and the Outdoors The West is home to some of the nation’s most breathtaking and iconic landscapes. Spending time in nature and participating in outdoor recreation opportunities can improve mental health, reduce stress, and strengthen overall well-being. This panel will explore how the outdoors can support individual and community wellness and ways to expand access to these benefits across the region.
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3:30 pm
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Optional Activity |
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5:00 pm |
Governor’s Conversation The Honorable Mark Gordon, Governor of Wyoming, will sit down for a conversation with WGA Executive Director Jack Waldorf and Ortus Foundation Founder Sabrina Gracias about addressing rising behavioral health needs in the West and how we can work together to leverage federal resources, develop new funding streams, and implement effective, bipartisan policy that truly moves the needle on health outcomes across western communities.
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5:45 pm |
Adjourn
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6:00 – 7:00 pm |
Reception |
Friday, October 9
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8:00 am Trailborn Hotel |
Breakfast Available |
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9:00 am
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Governor’s Remarks |
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9:10 am |
Panel 4: Suicide Prevention and the Crisis Care Continuum The West faces a particularly high prevalence of suicide. This panel will examine how states and communities can strengthen suicide prevention and crisis care systems. Panelists will discuss evidence-based approaches, from using population-level data to inform prevention efforts, expanding community training, and promoting lethal means reduction to implementing the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
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10:05 am |
Break
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10:15 am
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Panel 5: Youth Suicide Prevention While the number of children and adolescents experiencing mental health conditions has increased significantly in recent years, one of the most alarming trends is the growing rate of suicide. This panel will explore effective approaches to preventing suicide among children and adolescents, with a focus on the role of schools, families, communities, and health systems. Panelists will highlight efforts to identify risk early, improve prevention, and create safer, more supportive environments for young people.
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11:10 am
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Break |
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11:20 am |
Panel 6: The Hidden Costs of Service Professions that serve others can involve high-stakes experiences that conflict with deeply held values, such as witnessing suffering or being unable to prevent harm. This session will consider the unique mental health stressors of service, with a focus on moral injury, and how we can better support our veterans, health care workers, and first responders.
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12:15 pm |
Adjourn
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