Wyoming Behavioral Institute began an internal initiative in 2024 to create a trauma specific environment of care, where people want to work, and people experiencing mental health crisis want to pursue recovery. All staff, including administrators and physicians, were trained to understand trauma specific care. New employees are taught to use trauma informed methods before interacting with other staff and patients. Benchmarks that indicate care is trauma specific include lower employee turnover rates, higher patient satisfaction scores, and zero utilization of hands on intervention.
WBI’s nursing team is so impressed by the ways trauma informed care has changed the way patients and staff interact that they are taking their learning experience into the community. Nursing Supervisor Mitch Schoenwolf, Staff Development Facilitator Lance Richardson, and Pathways Program Supervisor Shannon Heaton believe that being trauma informed in human interactions in all settings may be one key to reducing the community’s high rate of suicide. In 2024, 32 people died by suicide in Natrona County, and nine of the were younger than 30.¹ Statewide, between 2010 and 2020, 40 young people ages 10 to 24 died by suicide, according to the Wyoming Department of Health.²
“It’s a pandemic,” Mitch said recently when presenting trauma informed strategies in Casper. He quoted a World Heath Organization statistic at 700,000 people die annually worldwide³ and said that equates to a suicide death somewhere every 45 seconds. “We came together around the world to help each other through the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mitch said. “For example, auto manufacturers built medical equipment, and personal protective equipment was gathered and distributed to keep healthcare workers safe. Why aren’t we treating suicide the same way? What are we doing to stop the suicide pandemic?”
Mitch, Lance and Shannon are helping patients, staff, and now the community understand that people learn to use maladaptive behaviors like threats of violence, acts of violence, verbal aggression, and self-harming as the means to getting their needs met – and specifically, comfort. Trauma informed responses to behaviors can create a shift in the dynamic between adults and youth and reduce or eliminate power struggles. When the power struggle ends, the healing begins, they report.
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WBI is also a partner in Project AWARE, a Wyoming Department of Education-led initiative to increase access to mental health and substance abuse services for school-aged youth. Another Project AWARE goal is to develop student stills that will promote resilience, prosocial behaviors and prevent youth violence through outreach, engagement, and training. In Sweetwater County School Districts, trauma-informed support services are offered by WBI in collaboration with the districts to increase student awareness of mental health and wellness while decreasing stigma and stigmatized language. The partners work to increase student resilience through skill building while teaching self-awareness, self-management, relationship skills, social awareness and responsible decision making.⁴
WBI is offering community education in trauma-informed interactions for any adult working with youth, including law enforcement officers, teachers, school support staff, parents, and teen programs. For more information about free, two-hour trauma informed education presentations, please call Emily Genoff, Director of Business Development, 307-472-2201, or email Emily.quarterman-genoff@uhsinc.com.
Inpatient and outpatient mental health services are offered by WBI for children, teens and adults. Located in Casper, WBI has specialized in helping people experiencing mental health crises for more than 25 years. No cost, confidential level of care assessments, and information about programs and services are available by calling 800-457-9312. More information about treatment options can also be found online at www.wbihelp.com.
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SHOSHONI, Wyo. — A 12-year-old boy from Shoshoni is now the proud holder of the Junior 4-pound Line Class world record for bass after netting a 2-pound, 4-ounce largemouth in August. The boy, coincidentally with the last name Bass, caught the fish at Lake Cameahwait.
According to a release from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Tucker Bass and his father were fishing over the lake on a two-person kayak when the young angler reeled in the record fish. He did so on a rod and reel given to him by his grandfather.
Bass is the first Wyoming resident to hold a world record in any category for largemouth. The International Game and Fish Association oversees all world records for fishing and officially approved Bass’s catch in November.
Wyoming’s state record largemouth was caught in 2018 near Sheridan. A comprehensive list of all Wyoming record fish can be found here.
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“This is an exceptional accomplishment for a young angler,” WGF Lander Region fisheries supervisor Joe Deromedi said in the release. “Tucker’s record highlights not only his skill and dedication, but also the quality fishing opportunities we have in central Wyoming. It’s always exciting to see youth developing a lifelong passion for fishing.”
Bass, an avid fisherman, also earned Trophy Angler status in the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Master Angler program in August.
For more information on Tucker Bass’s record catch, see the Wyoming Game and Fish website.
Junior Line class 4-pound world record-holder Tucker Bass (WGF Department)
I know this is going to seem weird to read, but some people think Wyoming isn’t a real place. A fake fantasy world, they’ve only read about in books. Many who live in Wyoming are happy to hear that, because they won’t want to move here, but unfortunately, there’s a guy named Josh Allen who has confirmed that Wyoming is real.
READ MORE: Former Wyoming Coach Reconnects With Current NFL MVP
Josh has become a household name and a hero to young football fans everywhere. Even though the reigning NFL MVP wasn’t born and raised in Wyoming, he picked up on the Cowboy State’s traits. He is polite, kind, and does great things for others, including kids at the Oishei Children’s Hospital.
Josh’s impact on Wyoming is huge, and quite often, you’ll see social media posts from Wyomingites who are watching Josh play in Buffalo. Josh’s favorite wings restaurant ‘Double Dubs’ from Laramie, has won “People’s Choice” multiple times at the National Buffalo Chicken Festival in Buffalo.
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READ MORE: Josh Allen’s Return To Wyoming For Jersey Retirement
Now, Josh’s influence on Wyoming has been highlighted on an episode of the New Heights Podcast hosted by Travis and Jason Kelce. Travis (Taylor Swift’s fiancé) mentioned that when Josh was in Laramie having his jersey retired, the fans in the stands created a giant beer snake, and he was proud of Wyoming.
Josh actually called on a fan to lead the student section to create that beer snake. Check out this TikTok video where the MVP asked a fan to get it done.
@trainwrecksports When QB1 requests a beer snake, you better start drinking! 🍻 🎥 via Bills on IG #BillsMafia ♬ original sound – Trainwreck Sports
During the clip on New Heights, interestingly enough, Jason Kelce, who seems to be quite the tailgate party guy, had never heard of a beer snake, but luckily, Travis explained it to him. And, just like that, Wyoming is on the map.
NFL Most Valuable Player Josh Allen Makes Return to Wyoming for Jersey Retirement
Josh Allen quarterbacked the Cowboys from 2015-17, leading Wyoming to a berth in the Mountain West Championship game his sophomore season. He declared for the NFL Draft in 2018 and was selected No. 7 overall by the Buffalo Bills.
HULETT, Wyo. — Three travelers are dead after a head-on collision in Crook County on Dec. 9. According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the crash occurred as the result of an unsuccessful attempt to overtake another vehicle on Highway 212 in the far northeast corner of the state.
According to the WHP report, published on the WYDOT website, a Subaru Forester was westbound on the route, heading towards the Montana-Wyoming border, at around 11:52 a.m.
Near milepost 16, the driver of the vehicle reportedly elected to overtake another passenger vehicle ahead of it on the two-lane highway.
While heading west in the eastbound lane, the Forester collided head-on with a Subaru Outback heading eastbound. Both cars came to sudden and uncontrolled stops in the southern road ditch. The other westbound car, which the Forester had originally attempted to pass, was left unharmed.
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The three fatalities have been identified as 29-year-old Johnathan Vought, 73-year-old Eugene Cadwell and 52-year-old Rebecca Cadwell. Vought was reportedly a resident of New York, while both Cadwells resided in Montana.
The report did not indicate who among the deceased were in which car. They were all, however, wearing their seatbelts.
Speed and driver inattention were cited as the primary contributing factors in the incident. Weather conditions, including severe winds, overcast skies and wet roads, were also present during the time of the crash.
A map of the route on which the crash occurred, nestled in the far northeast corner of Wyoming and connecting Montana and South Dakota, can be seen below.
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This story contains preliminary information as provided by the Wyoming Highway Patrol via the Wyoming Department of Transportation Fatal Crash Summary map. The agency advises that information may be subject to change.
