GILLETTE, Wyo. — An upcoming episode of the Wyoming PBS series “A State of Mind” will focus on the mental health of coal mine industry workers in the Powder River Basin.
The episode, titled “Miner’s Light,” will air on Friday, Sept. 20 and will highlight the industry’s pervasive mental health issues like depression and suicidal thoughts and the efforts of therapists in Gillette to increase mental health resources in the area.
In a press release sent out by Wyoming PBS on Thursday, CEO Joanna Kail said she hoped the episode would open dialogue about the issue.
“This series continues to confront the mental health crisis we are facing in Wyoming, including our incredibly valued energy sector workforce,” Kail said. “We hope this installment forces dialogue and provides an opportunity to support those who may be suffering.”
The episode will air on Wyoming PBS’s main channel at 7:30 p.m. Friday and will be available to watch on its website, app and YouTube channel following the original broadcast, according to the press release. Previous series episodes are also available to view on those platforms.
An award-wining series, “A State of Mind” is partly funded by sponsors including the Hughes Charitable Foundation, Jack and Carole Nunn, the John P. Ellbogen Foundation and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming. To learn more about the series, click here.
