Pagosa is a community where it’s visible that health and wellness matters. Walking or driving around town, one can go to family therapy, have your teeth cleaned, attend yoga, pick up your prescription, buy some herbal tea, find locally produced items, or go for a soak in the hot springs after a massage. Many of these services help us handle mental stress more easily. The stress of living in a small ever-changing town, our work and play schedules, family issues or still getting things back to normal from COVID can all take a toll on our mental health.
The upcoming Archuleta Health Fair & Expo, this Saturday, October 19, will have a variety of mental and behavioral health services booths set up. Here, you can meet a provider in the community, learn about services available in your area, and schedule an enrollment appointment.
What can we do for our mental health in addition to attending the health fair? When we asked our friend Stacey, a local practice owner and provider, what are some simple things we can do to take better care of our mental health, she shared:
“Taking care of our overall physical health is critical to meeting our mental health needs. Getting good exercise, nutrition, and healthy sleep habits go a long way in improving the impact of mental health on a daily basis. Staying connected with other people, sometimes it’s someone to talk seriously with and sometimes it’s having a good laugh or sharing a hobby together. Being aware of our technology habits; limiting screen times, setting limits to alerts, and being aware of technology time sneaking into sleep time.”
Come learn more about mental health and well-being, meet some local providers, enjoy the farm-to-table lunch, and, by registering, you can take that first step to wellness because you’ll have the opportunity to win a free day pass to The Springs.
For more information on the 2024 Archuleta Health Fair & Expo, visit our website and access the link to the registration form or email us at fsfearchuleta@gmail.com.
Living in Pagosa we have access to a variety of mental health service options through providers in our community. They provide family and group therapy and counseling, psychiatric assessment and care, medication and case management, support for individuals and families struggling, substance use treatment, DUI services as well as education on healthy living. Many have a telehealth or in-person option for convenience.
For those looking for quick access, Authentic Solutions provides substance use services through a walk-in group that does not require enrollment. They meet on Thursdays at noon.
Crisis care is also available to Pagosans 24/7 and can be accessed by visiting the Pagosa Springs Medical Center ER or walking into any Axis Health System facility during business hours (located uptown). The Axis care line 970-247-5245 is staffed 24/7 with people who know that a crisis feels different to everyone and are there to help.
There is also a new, National Suicide and Crisis Line. This can be accessed through their website, calling in, text or chat to 988 and is staffed by Spanish, English and recently added ASL professionals 24/7. This is not only for those in crisis but those worried about someone who may need crisis support for suicide, mental health and/or substance abuse crisis.