We’re thrilled to announce that the University of Montana’s Co-Lab for Civic Imagination will bring its interactive theatre program, State of Mind, to Glasgow on October 24th! This unique event is part of a tour visiting over twenty primarily rural Montana communities from September 2024 to May 2025.
State of Mind is not just a performance; it’s an engaging theatre and public dialogue event designed to spark conversation about mental health in our communities. The program includes a free public performance at the Valley County Pioneer Museum, along with workshops for local students, school faculty and staff, and health providers earlier that day at Glasgow High School. These workshops will incorporate the voices and ideas of Glasgow residents into the performance, ensuring that each community experience is one-of-a-kind.
Developed over two years by a talented team of Montana artists, facilitators, and mental health professionals, State of Mind addresses the pressing issues surrounding mental and behavioral health in our state. With 35% of adult Montanans reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression and Montana ranking among the top five states for suicide rates, this initiative is both timely and vital. Rural areas often lack access to mental health professionals, making it crucial to enhance community support and understanding.
Michael Rohd, the director of State of Mind, emphasizes the importance of the arts in fostering dialogue: “The arts are a powerful way to not just share stories, but to gather and imagine the futures we want to see and build together.” The program aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, make local resources more visible, and empower communities to take charge in addressing their own behavioral health challenges.
The Glasgow event is a collaborative effort organized by the Fort Peck Fine Arts Council, Youth Connections Coalition, Glasgow Public Schools, and the Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center. Community partner Jenny Fuller from Youth Connections Coalition expresses her excitement, stating, “The U of M State of Mind tour provides a unique opportunity to address youth mental health in a safe and supportive environment. We are very excited to bring this resource to our frontier Montana community in a thoughtful way.”
We invite you to join us on October 24th for this impactful event. State of Mind is touring at no cost to the communities, ensuring that everyone can participate in this important conversation.
For more information about State of Mind and to learn about the organizations involved, visit University of Montana Civic Imagination www.umcivicimagination.com/state-of-mind-1 follow them on Facebook here.
To learn more about our community organizations, check out:
- Fort Peck Fine Arts Council www.fortpecktheatre.org
- Youth Connections Coalition www.youthconnectionscoalition.org
- Glasgow Public Schools www.glasgow.k12.mt.us
- Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center www.emcmhc.com
For any inquiries, please contact:
- Josh Aaseng, State of Mind Producer of Community Partnerships: josh.aaseng@umt.edu
- Kari Prewett, Executive Director, Fort Peck Fine Arts Council: fptheatre@nemont.net
- Michael Rohd, State of Mind Director: michael.rohd@umt.edu
We look forward to seeing you there and engaging in this vital dialogue together!
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