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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CLAIM: Using the new 988 mental health hotline “will automatically route your geolocation information to local authorities.”

AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. The hotline does not currently have the capability to detect the exact location of a caller, nor does it “automatically” share such information with authorities. Federal officials held a recent forum to discuss the possibility of adding geolocation capabilities to 988 in the future to connect callers with nearby crisis centers and for rare cases of responding to imminent risk.

THE FACTS: The country’s first nationwide three-digit mental health crisis hotline went live on Saturday, as The Associated Press reported. The hotline is designed to connect callers with trained mental health counselors. 

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When: June 15, 2024
Where: Tahoe Flow Arts & Fitness

Coaches training on SEL to take place on 5/14/24 for TNT Mountain Biking. Flyer linked below. Coaches can register by clicking here. 

Resources: 

• Slide deck with extra videos - linked here
• Local referral resources "self-help resources"
• Questions & sentence starters for coaches (coming soon)
• How Coaches Can Build Safe, Trusting Relationships
• BASE "players-base-needs..."
• 5/14/24 Training Flyer "tnt_mtb_coaches"

The Hope and Heal Fund’s newest resource, the California Firearm Suicide Map for 2016-2022. This innovative tool, developed with the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and in partnership with RomoGIS, provides a more precise look at firearm suicides and homicides across California counties.
​
Mapping Firearm Suicides and Homicides in California

Discover Critical Data in Each County 
Whether you're located in a rural setting or a busy urban area, this first-of-its-kind tool is designed to help stakeholders like you develop precise interventions that address the unique challenges faced by your community.

12 CA counties with a higher firearm suicide rate but a lower homicide rate than the state average:

• Mendocino
• Nevada
• Orange
• Placer
• Sonoma
• Riverside
• San Diego
• San Luis Obispo
• Santa Barbara
• Santa Cruz
• Ventura
• El Dorado

Explore the Map
Click here to access the California Firearm Suicide Map

May 7, is National Fentanyl Awareness Day, a day of action to raise public awareness about lethal, illegally made fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid that is causing people to overdose and die by overdose at alarming rates. In California, over 6,473 people died from a fentanyl-related overdose in 2022. Fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under 50 than any other cause of death, including heart disease, cancer, and all other accidents.
 
Please help us spread the word about the risks of fentanyl and share this information across your networks:

• Know Overdose Nevada County has a webpage with trainings and information about how to obtain naloxone and fentanyl testing strips across Nevada County.
• The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has a webpage where you can learn more about fentanyl and fentanyl test strips.
• Fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Even in small doses, it can be deadly.
• Fentanyl is cheap, potent, and profitable, so dealers use it to make fake pills. It can also be found in party drugs like cocaine and MDMA.
• If you’re considering using drugs: 1) test your product for fentanyl using a fentanyl test strip, 2) carry naloxone, and 3) know the signs of an overdose.

Helpful resources:

• If you are struggling with a substance use disorder and want support, call California’s statewide treatment referral line at 800-879-2772 or connect with a harm reduction organization through CDPH’s directory.
• If your organization is interested in distributing naloxone or fentanyl test strips, learn about the DHCS Naloxone Distribution Project and how to apply.
• Get naloxone from your local pharmacy or by using the National Harm Reduction Coalition’s naloxone access map.

The 4 days of workshops, panel discussions, and key notes along with on-hill sessions with pro athletes, provided highly talented "going pro type" snowsport athletes, a tool kit for success. Daron Rahlves, JT Holmes, Travis Ganong, Jossi Wells, Toby Miller, skogen sprang, Amie Engerbretson, and Michelle Parker all hopped on board to help, as did many others, who led the below topics:
- State of Flow: Steven Kotler
- Iterating on "your why", goal setting, dream brands, elevator pitch: Paul Crandell
- Mind and Body: Sherry McConkey and Ascent Tahoe
- Working with agents and brand managers: Mark Ervin, Jim Gunning, Jaimeson Keegan, & Josh Loubek
- GoPro Content Development: Tips and Tricks: Tim Humphreys
- Media Training: Andrew Gauthier
- Wealth Management: Michael Conway
- Building Your Brand: Jossi Wells
- Resort Sponsorship: Jason Abraham & Matthew Peterson
- Event Selection Process: Eric Zerrenner
- Dealing with Adversity: Roy Tuscany
- Life After Sport: Robett Hollis
- Following your path: Amie Engerbretson and Michelle Parker
- Mental Health: Shannon Decker

The result at the end was simply amazing! These young athletes who came, came prepared and were all in. They took it seriously, stayed engaged, while having fun and learned "real life stuff" around becoming a professional athlete and being a good human. Together, we accomplished something special which was beyond anything expected!

Teen-Powered Fun: Aspen Collective to Host First Annual Hibernation Fest

Kings Beach, 5/3/24 - Aspen Collective, a dynamic nonprofit organization fueled by local high school students, is gearing up to host its inaugural event, Hibernation Fest, at the Fox Cultural Hall in Kings Beach on May 3rd, starting at 6:00 PM. Doors will swing open at 5:30 PM, welcoming attendees to an evening brimming with music and community spirit.

Following the resounding success of Aspen Collective's debut event in August 2023, Hibernation Fest promises an unforgettable experience for all who attend. The lineup boasts exhilarating performances by esteemed musical acts such as Charity Kiss, renowned for their captivating desert rock melodies, the soulful sounds of lo-fi doo-woppers Worm Shot, and the high-energy vibes of downhill punks RIP Everything, and Checked Out.

Beyond the stellar musical lineup, Hibernation Fest will feature an array of community resources and activities aimed at promoting teen well-being and cultivating a positive environment. Attendees can connect with teen mental health advocates, savor delectable treats from Little Truckee Ice Creamery, explore offerings from God Complex, a masculine-positive clothing company, and participate in interactive art activities and games.

At the heart of Aspen Collective's mission is the commitment to provide a safe and engaging space for teens, offering an alternative to substance misuse while fostering creativity, community, and personal growth. Through events like Hibernation Fest, Aspen Collective endeavors to empower young people to lead fulfilling and healthy lives. "We are thrilled to bring Hibernation Fest to our community and aspire to make this an annual tradition," said Leo Murrell, CFO at As pen Collective. "This event epitomizes the passion and dedication of my peers and our community's youth, who are steadfast in creating positive experiences for one another. We extend an invitation to all teens and supporters to join us for a night of music, fun, and community building." The Aspen Collective has partnered with the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation and Tahoe Truckee Suicide Prevention Coalition, a project of The Speedy Foundation to launch this event.

For tickets to the show and further details about Hibernation Fest and Aspen Collective, please visit www.theaspencollective.org.

Please join us a Alibi Ale Works in Truckee on Tuesday, April 30th for a trivia night dedicated to Hike for Hope. We will have raffle prizes as we fundraise to support Hope Squad and other suicide prevention efforts. Tuesday also launches registration for the 5th annual hike - register here. 

Recently medical practitioners in Nevada County have seen an increase in patients being seen at the emergency department and other settings as a result of complications from recreational nitrous oxide use. These complications are often neurological, ranging from tingling in the extremities to long-term neurological damage. Linked here is information about nitrous oxide.

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.

Our next community Mental Health First Aid trainings will be: 

• 4/19 & 4/26 from 1:00 - 5:00 @ Lift Truckee (2 part session)
  
• 5/22 from 8:30 - 5:00 @ Lift Truckee (1 day session)