David Butler, 24, is the newest addition to the Jefferson County Mental Health Local Advisory Council, serving as its VISTA volunteer.
Butler is from Lakeland, Florida where he graduated from Florida Southern College, with a BA in English and Psychology. Following college, Butler worked for about two years at a natural medication clinic and then considered joining the Peace Corps.
The pandemic put a halt to those plans, so he turned to AmeriCorps — a similar program based in the United States.
Butler chose Montana for its open spaces, mountains and abundance of outdoor opportunities.
“If you love nature, it’s the place to be,” he said.
Being a Florida native, Butler is still adjusting to the colder climate, but has found Montanans to be warm and friendly. He’s already purchased a set of snow tires — as it’s his first time driving on ice and snow. Still new to town, he’s already been off exploring the area, to include Sypes Canyon and Canyon Ferry. Butler lives in Boulder and his office is downstairs from the Jefferson County Treasurer’s Office. Butler will be working with Prevention Specialist Barb Reiter and Tobacco Prevention Specialist Nicole Palmer.
Butler’s job will include working toward reducing depression and substance abuse among teens and children, as well as raising awareness about mental health. He will also work on food insecurity issues, along with food programs in the schools.
Butler plans to look at how other Montana communities have approached its mental health messaging to youth, and plans to focus less on what he describes as “scare tactics” concerning substance abuse. Instead, he will focus on teaching youth how to be socially and emotionally mature and confident enough to say no. He also plans to work at increasing the availability of mental health resources within the City of Boulder.
Part of raising mental health awareness is removing the stigma associated with asking for help, Butler said.
“It’s the same as any physical problem,” he said.
Butler’s assignment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal. It is supported in part by AmeriCorps as well as a $5,000 matching stipend from the Advisory Council.
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs where members commit their time to address critical community needs such as academics, mentoring, poverty, preparing for disaster and more. Originally called VISTA, the program began in 1964 as a way to combat poverty. VISTA was combined with the National and Community Service, AmeriCorps Seniors in 1993 to become AmeriCorps.
