After statewide acclaim, the University of Montana’s State of Mind project will be visiting Jefferson County on October 8th.
Created and hosted by UM’s Co-Lab for Civic Imagination in partnership with Montana Repertory Theater, the interactive theater and public dialogue event is part of a statewide effort to advance community listening, tackle stigmas around mental and behavioral health, and share community resources for advancing care.
“What makes this effort successful is that the content of the project has been created through collaboration with community members with lived experiences, local experts and area knowledge,” said Michael Rohd, the director of UM’s Co-Lab for Civic Imagination. “After a successful launch in 2024, we are thrilled to again hit the road for a second year to help ensure every corner of Montana has access to this critical project.”
The free community stage show has generated excitement across the state. “The performance dives into the complexities of mental health with raw honesty and emotional depth,” said Cassie Weightman, an independent living specialist with Ability Montana in Butte. “It’s a stunning blend of storytelling, vulnerability and care, crafted and delivered with extraordinary compassion.”
Since its launch in 2024, the tour has performed and hosted events in nearly 20 Montana communities in coordination with over 70 community partners, and has more than 15 additional events and community visits planned for this fall.
“The performance successfully deconstructs Montana’s overwhelming mental health crisis into manageable pieces that are accessible and actionable,” said Miranda Zent, a prevention specialist with Southwest Montana Prevention.
“We’re left with the understanding that even without perfect answers, simply knowing that support is available can be profoundly helpful, and talking about a frightening concern is often less difficult than we might imagine. State of Mind gives us the experience of watching a story that’s playing out in our own lives – one that we’re all participating in – and we’re writing how it ends together.”
More than 2,700 Montanans have participated in State of Mind since its launch. During each stop on the tour, UM’s Co-Lab for Civic Imagination hosts workshops for high school students, offers professional development opportunities for public school employees and health care professionals, and shares a free theater performance informed by the work with that individual community. After each stop on the tour, participants are quick to see the results.
“State of Mind truly stands out as one of the best conversations I’ve had with both students and staff,” said Conrad High School Principal Raymond DeBruycker. “The open and honest conversations fostered by the program allowed for a safe space for everyone to express their thoughts and feelings about social-emotional needs. The workshop not only addressed the important issues, but also empowered us to support one another in our collective journey toward emotional well-being within our school and community.”
With a goal to shift how young people and adults discuss behavioral and mental health across the state, State of Mind aims to empower cultural shifts around difficult to discuss topics through the support of the entire community. “Letting kids interact and discuss what concerns them is so powerful,” said Ekalaka Public Schools Superintendent James Kapptie. “Allowing our entire student body to be part of this has created great conversations for our staff and community.”
Pam Hanna, the Public Health Supervisor of Jefferson County, adds, “State of Mind introduces an innovative, community-centered approach to mental and emotional well-being. By actively listening to local voices and perspectives, we cultivate empathy and understanding for the challenges people face, strengthen connections, and can respond with compassion. It is my hope this experience helps to inform community action and spark initiatives that prioritize mental health and empower every member of our community to thrive.”
The free public performance will take place at October 8th at 6:30pm at the Clancy Community Center, with workshops taking place earlier in the day at Jefferson High School.
The residency closes out with a community coffee meeting on October 9th at 9am at The Sweet Spot (formerly the Elkhorn Cafe) in Boulder. This will be an opportunity for people to reflect on the workshops and performances, and to discuss potential action and engagement around mental health in Jefferson County.
After Jefferson County, State of Mind will be heading to Harrison, Power, and Libby counties, among others. See the full tour calendar here: https://www.umcivicimagination.com/tour-calendar. For more information visit: https://www.umcivicimagination.com/.
Jefferson County’s event organizers are Public Health Supervisor Hanna (phanna@jeffersoncounty-mt.gov) and Jefferson High Principal Mike Moodry (mike.moodry@jhs.k12.mt.us). State of Mind Community Partnerships Producer is Josh Aaseng (josh.aaseng@umt.edu) and the Director is Michael Rohd (michael.rohd@umt.edu).
