The conversation around mental illness in the freeskiing community has been percolating for years.
And its not just pros who face the challenge of mental illness.
Due to its high suicide rates the Rocky Mountain region holds the following grim title:the suicide belt.
Other issues, like isolation, tentative housing situations, and darker winters, may contribute as well.
Regardless of the root causes, though, the statistics demonstrate that inhabitants of resort towns are uniquely suffering.
The set opened with a film calledGirl Crush,that was produced by Salomon rider Mali Noyres.
After that film wrapped, Drew Peterson, another rider for Salomon, took the stage.
I was a bit shocked.
Peterson isnt the only pro skier to adopt radical openness in their film production process this fall, either.
And I think more than anything, wanting to help people relate in going through struggles.
I think all too often people view professional athletes like superheroes.
And you know, there’s no chink in their armor.
And every day is perfect.
I wanted to try and figure out a way for it to benefit more than just me.
The interview subjects are slated to include pros and average locals.
To him, momentum is key, in mental health work, we talk a lot about momentum.
The end goal forThe Mountain in my Mindis the promotion of destigmatization.
For the more average folks, its conversation.
(andreallymean it), rather than the impersonal hows your skiing today?.
I see a therapist regularly and take medication, and Im super open about it.
Anyone that asks like, yeah, dude, like, this is what happened.
Here’s how I deal with it, he explained to me.
