Smiles across the floor at one of The Aspen Collective’s events. Photos: The Aspen Collective
The challenges of being a teenage musician are the same now as they have been for decades – most venues have little interest in performers whose members and friends are too young to buy drinks, events tend to be run by adult professionals who are less than entertained by youthful passion that might outsize talent, lots of teens just don’t have the money to afford professional equipment and spaces. So lots of shows for young bands tend to be in fly by night style – at backyard parties and such – which might be fun, but aren’t the most sustainable or safe model.

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TRUCKEE, Calif. – Amidst the observance of Men’s Mental Health Month, Truckee welcomes acclaimed filmmaker Drew Petersen back to town for a special screening of his latest work, “Feel It All.” The private event, held at Lift Truckee, brought together 48 local mental health advocates, community leaders, and media for an evening focused on promoting dialogue and awareness through film.
 
 An Evening of Connection and Reflection
 Attendees gathered at Lift Truckee on Tuesday, June 25, for an evening that blended introspection with community engagement. The event commenced with a mix-and-mingle session featuring mocktails, munchies, and musical performances by John Kedzie from the Tahoe School of Music. The ambiance set the stage for meaningful conversations before the screening.

At 6:30 p.m., the lights dimmed as Drew Petersen introduced his 34-minute film, “Feel It All,” an exploration of mental health challenges faced by men. The documentary, which has garnered attention from media outlets like Powder Magazine, 5280 Magazine, and The Colorado Sun, having captivated the audience with its raw honesty and emotional depth.

A Conversation to Inspire Action
Following the screening, Petersen engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with attendees, delving into the film’s themes and production process. The ensuing Q&A session allowed for a deeper exploration of mental health issues and strategies for community support.

Looking Ahead: Bringing the Message Home
The evening concluded with a call to action, rallying support to bring “Feel It All” back to Truckee/Tahoe for a public screening in September. Community leaders and advocates pledged to collaborate on initiatives that promote mental wellness and destigmatize conversations about mental health.

About “Feel It All”
“Feel It All” continues to resonate with audiences for its authentic portrayal of personal struggles and resilience. Through Petersen’s lens, the film not only raises awareness but also encourages empathy and understanding.

​Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy Urges Action to Ensure Social Media Environments are Healthy and Safe, as Previously-Advised National Youth Mental Health Crisis Continues

Today, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health - PDF. While social media may offer some benefits, there are ample indicators that social media can also pose a risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents. Social media use by young people is nearly universal, with up to 95% of young people ages 13-17 reporting using a social media platform and more than a third saying they use social media “almost constantly.”

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Hope Squad members Dani, Lucy, Lila, and Anderson from Truckee High attended Truckee Town Council's meeting on March 26th to receive a Hope Week proclamation from Mayor Polivy​. 

Charity Kiss headlines teen concert in Kings Beach Tahoe Guide
March 24, 2024
Teen community organization Aspen Collective gathers at Fox Cultural Hall in Kings Beach on May 3 at 6:30 p.m. for a show with Reno desert rockers Charity Kiss, lo-fi doo-woppers Worm Shot, and downhill punks RIP Everything and Checked Out. They’re joined by Little Truckee Ice Creamery, masculine-positive clothing company God Complex, teen mental health advocates Speedy Foundation and other community resources. Free harm reduction supplies including Narcan and Fentanyl test strips will be available on site. Visit - theaspencollective.org

NEVER USE ALONE
​1-877-696-1996
NO SHAMING, NO JUDGMENT. NO PREACHING, JUST LOVE!
​Meeting people where they are, on the other end of the line, one human connection at a time.

Remember, we can all help with the opioid crisis by better understanding addiction and carrying Narcan. You can request harm reduction supplies by visiting HERE.

A new vending machine providing free and confidential county health products is now located at the Joseph Center in Truckee (10075 Levon Avenue Truckee, CA 96161). The vending machine will follow Joseph Center hours and be available between 8AM-5PM on Monday through Friday (outside of holidays). Products available through the vending machine include: Naloxone (Narcan) and fentanyl test strips, medication and sharps disposal kits, adult and children’s oral heath kids, first aid, hygiene and grooming kits, safer sex kits, and more. View the full list of products in English and Spanish HERE. Check out a video of how to use HERE. 

All products are free and can easily be accessed with a pin number after registering online HERE. You can also contact Devin Bradley at [email protected] to request paper copies of the application and pre-labeled vending machine cards.

Last week a local supply of fentanyl tested positive for the presence of xylazine. This is the first positive test for xylazine in Western Nevada County. The Truckee area reported two positive tests for xylazine in late June, but none since.
 
Xylazine is a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer that lowers blood pressure and heart rate and has a sedating effect. While xylazine is not an opioid, it is often mixed with opioids like fentanyl and heroin. As a result, in the event of an overdose where xylazine is suspected, Narcan is still key to overdose response.
 
Know Overdose Nevada County has created a Xylazine page on the website with additional information, including bilingual xylazine fact sheets, links to additional resources and a training video from NASTAD. While xylazine is not widespread in Nevada County’s drug supply currently, its presence is likely to increase over time, as it has in most areas of the country.
 
A limited supply of free  xylazine test strips are available through Know Overdose partners. You can also text or call the following organizations for free harm reduction supplies  in Nevada County:

• Nevada County Public Health @ 530-388-6364 (Narcan, fentanyl test strips)
• Yuba Harm Reduction Collective @ 530-362-8163 (Narcan, fentanyl test strips, MAT)
• The Speedy Foundation (Truckee) @ 208-471-8904 (Narcan, fentanyl test strips)
• Nevada County Behavioral Health @ call only 530 265-1437 or walk-in (Narcan, test strips, treatment, MAT)
• Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Emergency Department (24/7 access to Narcan and MAT)
• Tahoe Forest Hospital Emergency Department (24/7 access to Narcan, fentanyl test strips, xylazine test strips and connections to MAT)

You can learn more about xylazine, fentanyl, Narcan, harm reduction and free local resources and training at www.KnowOverdoseNC.com.

Alternative Psychiatric Treatments
Jonathan Lowe, PMH-APRN of Tahoe Forest Hospital 
August 1, 2023: CCTT Resource Sharing Meeting
Start: 6:17 
End: 35:07
Tahoe Forest Behavioral Health

Thank Your Members of Congress and Encourage More Action on Suicide Prevention!

On Monday, September 21, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act (S.2661). This legislation will support the implementation of the three-digit "9-8-8" dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline through funding guidance, federal reporting, and specialized services for at-risk communities like LGBTQ-youth and veterans.
 
After unanimous passage by the U.S. Senate in May and unanimous passage by the U.S. House this week, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act will soon be signed into law!

Click here to thank your legislator: Public Policy Action Center - AFSP

In the News: "September 10 marks World Suicide Prevention Day, an opportunity to remember those affected by suicide, create awareness, remove stigma, and to focus efforts on directing treatment to those who need it most...

As the Olympic National Governing Body of skiing and snowboarding in the United States, U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s mission is to empower athletes to achieve excellence, including providing the resources and tools necessary to ensure mental well being. Through a partnership with The Speedy Foundation, U.S. Ski & Snowboard will provide mandatory QPR Institute training for all staff. QPR Training will also be free and highly encouraged for U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes, members, and board members." Read More Here
​
You can also bring QPR training to your organization. Register to take QPR online and on-demand here and connect with TTSPC's Suicide Prevention Coordinator to discuss working with your organization to become a hero for mental health. 

​Additional Resources:

• ​Workplace Suicide Prevention - Take the Pledge
• Download Covid Coping Guide
• Working Minds - Suicide Prevention in the Workplace Training
• QPR's Self-Assessment for the Workplace
• Manager's Guide to Suicide Postvention in the Workplace
  • Postvention Resrouces