Bode Miller, the famed alpine ski racer, will screen his documentary on the mental health crises unfolding in Rocky Mountain ski towns in Durango on Wednesday, followed by a panel discussion of related resources Thursday morning.
“The Paradise Paradox,” of which Miller was the executive producer, explores why and how mental health problems can come to a head in communities built around exciting, hedonistic activities such as skiing and snowboarding.
“People want to be stoked,” Miller said in an interview with The Durango Herald. “ … They don’t want to be the Debbie downer, they want to be the upper.”
Brett Rapkin, one of the film’s producers, is the filmmaker behind “The Weight of Gold,” a documentary on the depression many Olympic athletes experience.
Miller was a part of that documentary as well. But unlike “The Weight of Gold,” “The Paradise Paradox” moves the focus away from just elite athletes.
The conversation started around fame, he said, but this film was about making “something everyone relates to, regardless of your station in life.”
Durango and neighboring communities are no exception to the trend that prompted National Geographic to name Colorado and adjacent ski states “the suicide belt.”
The Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado, which is hosting the events, and Miller hope the film will open a dialogue on the issue.
“I don’t want people to just watch it and leave – it’s not ‘The Avengers,’” Miller said.
Resources available
Help for people having suicidal thoughts or for those who fear a person is considering suicide:
Axis Care Hotline:
24/7 local response to your crisis & behavioral health needs: (970) 247-5245
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE:
(800) 273-TALK (8255) or text “TALK” to 741741
RED NACIONAL DE PREVENCIÓN DEL SUICIDIO:
(888) 628-9454
FORT LEWIS COLLEGE COUNSELING CENTER:
247-7212
BOYS TOWN HOTLINE:
(800) 448-3000.
SAFE2TELL COLORADO:
(877) 542-7233 or safe2tell.org
COLORADO CRISIS SUPPORT LINE:
(844) 493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255 or online at coloradocrisisservices.org to access a live chat available in 17 languages. The line has mental-health professionals available to talk to adults or youths 24 hours a day.
AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION:
Colorado chapter information available at afsp.org/chapter/afsp-colorado/
The events are a part of the Foundation’s “Making A Difference” speaker series. On Thursday morning, Miller will facilitate a panel featuring speakers with expertise in local resources.
Panelists will include Durango Police Chief Bob Brammer, Director of SOS Outreach and The Hive Kelsie Borland, Behavioral Health Promotion Program Manager at San Juan Basin Public Health Katheryn Maloney, Mercy Hospital CEO Brandon Mencini and Axis Director of Crisis Services Molly Rodriguez.
The film screening will take place Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, followed by a Q&A.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at durangoconcerts.com. The panel will take place from 9-11 a.m. at TBK Bank’s Community Room, and tickets must be purchased in advance at swcommunityfoundation.org/bode.
Another screening and panel will take place in Pagosa Springs Thursday afternoon.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
