Wyoming County Builds Suicide Prevention Volunteer Team

When tragedy strikes a small community, neighbors need more than sympathy. They need trained people who know how to help.

Carbon County Public Health just announced the creation of Carbon County Connect, a volunteer team designed to support survivors of suicide loss. Public Health Nursing Manager Amanda Brown shared the news at the January 6th County Commissioners meeting, explaining that the team will provide resources and compassionate support when families need it most.

The program is based on the Connect Postvention Suicide Program, an initiative developed by the New Hampshire National Alliance on Mental Illness. It creates a coordinated response framework that brings together schools, law enforcement, mental health providers, and community partners after a suicide occurs.

The local Connect team has three main goals: helping survivors feel supported, encouraging open conversations about mental health, and strengthening community resilience. By preparing people to respond together, the program aims to prevent future tragedies.

Tracy Young, the Public Health Community Engagement Consultant, is currently building the team. Training sessions have already been held in Baggs, Saratoga, and Rawlins, with plans to expand as more residents express interest.

Commissioner Sue Jones voiced strong support for the initiative, noting that this kind of post-suicide support has been desperately needed in the past. The main challenge now is funding, as the organization works to determine how to sustain the support services long term.

The Ripple Effect

Small communities often struggle with mental health resources, but Carbon County is choosing to face the issue head-on. When volunteers step up to be trained in suicide postvention, they're not just helping one family. They're creating a network of informed, compassionate responders who can guide their entire community through its darkest moments.

This approach transforms isolated tragedy into collective healing. It replaces awkward silence with meaningful conversation and turns helplessness into action.

The team is hosting two virtual meetings this month for anyone interested in volunteering. The first meeting is Friday, January 23rd at 10:00 a.m., and the second is Monday, January 26th at 11:00 a.m. People can email Tracy Young at communityisprevention@gmail.com for more information and meeting links.

Carbon County is proving that even in rural areas with limited resources, communities can build powerful support systems when neighbors choose to show up for each other.