Mental Health Support

At Gardiner School, we recognize the urgent need for mental health support for our students. Being in a rural setting presents unique challenges that have a profound impact on our young people. A recent 2024 student study highlighted that Gardiner students are facing alarming levels of emotional abuse, threats, and physical injuries—situations that are more severe than those reported by students in other schools throughout Park County and the state. Tragically, our students have also communicated experiences of suicide attempts, which deeply concerns us all.

In response to these pressing needs, the NYEF, in collaboration with Gardiner School, Rural Resilience, LiveWell 49, the Early Childhood Coalition, and the Park County Health Department, is dedicated to finding solutions to support our students. We are grateful to have secured dedicated overnight accommodations for therapists willing to come to Gardiner to meet our students face-to-face, which is crucial for building trust and providing effective care.

During the 2025-2026 school year, Rural Resilience was able to secure a therapist to provide support to seven students one day a week. However, with a waiting list of eight additional students seeking help, it is evident that we need more resources. We are actively searching for a new therapist for the upcoming school year, with the hope of finding someone who can provide care at least two days a week.

What makes Gardiner's situation particularly challenging is the geographic dispersion of our students, which often leads to feelings of social isolation. Our student population is roughly divided into thirds—one third resides in Gardiner, another third in Mammoth, and the remaining third is spread out as far as Livingston. This distribution can make it difficult for students to connect with friends outside of school. Additionally, our students attend school only four days a week, leaving three days where they are separated from their peers.

To address these critical needs, NYEF has committed to raising $30,000 annually to support our mental health initiatives. This funding will help facilitate social-emotional learning in the classroom, as well as providing financial support for both behavioral specialists and therapists.

It is heartbreaking to note that in 2024, our student survey revealed 13 attempted suicides. We urge everyone in our community to come together and support our students’ mental health. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in their lives.