On Monday, Governor Mark Gordon announced significant advancements in Wyoming’s mental health care reform through the WY We Care initiative. This initiative is the result of collaboration among state government branches, local community teams, and private sector providers. It aims to reduce Wyoming’s suicide rate, improve access to behavioral health services, and strengthen the state’s behavioral healthcare workforce.
Governor Gordon emphasized the widespread impact of behavioral health challenges in Wyoming, noting the high rate of deaths by suicide. He stated, “Our work is far from complete — we must come together in our homes, our schools, our faith-based communities, businesses, and clubs — to make it clear, it’s okay not to be okay.”
The next phase of the Governor’s suicide prevention efforts involves the PROSPER Project, which will be implemented in select counties. This program is based on over five decades of research into effective suicide prevention and intervention strategies. It integrates contemporary suicidology findings and is designed to be culturally adaptive to the unique needs of each community.
The primary goal is to reduce suicide risk through education, empowerment, and community engagement. The approach is tailored to the specific cultural values and needs of each participating community.
Governor Gordon is also planning a third Mental Health Summit for early October, building on the success of the 2022 and 2023 events.
