History of Trek for Life and Pedal Your Butte-Off!™
In October of 2018 my son, Kyle Uhl died by suicide while living and working in Crested Butte — a community and outdoor environment he fell in love with 4 years earlier. His death was a shock and took everyone by surprise but began my personal journey towards trying to understand the reason(s) why and fostered a powerful desire to help others struggling in the community. This is a complex issue without a simple answer, but by understanding the risk factors, I believe that turning this trend around is more than a dream, and instead a reality.
The Fight Against Suicide
Trek for Life and Pedal Your Butte-Off!™ are fundraising events that raise awareness of and lead the fight against suicide, works to eliminate the stigma associated with mental health illness, stimulate a dialog through community education, provide mental health services for those who are underinsured, and spark new research that will provide a better understanding of the complex factors behind the high rates of suicide and mental illness among those living in high altitude communities.
You Don't Have to Walk Alone!
Today, suicide is at epidemic levels in these high altitude communities (3 times the national average in 2019 and 2020) where the need for mental health services in communities like Crested Butte, Colorado is desperately needed.
Life is Butte-iful!™
During 2018 and the spring of 2019 more than $125,000 was raised through charitable contributions, foundations, and grants in an effort to realize the opening of The Center for Mental Health in Crested Butte. 7 weeks following the opening of the center on June 6th, 2019 caseloads were full, and by the end of 2019, Trek for Life fundraising began funding services tfor individuals who would not otherwise have had access.
Help Support the Community!
While we cannot bring back those who have left us, we as a community can work together to help those who are struggling around us. Please join us by supporting our efforts to understand and help those in communities like Crested Butte.
You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
#trekforlifecb #pedalyourbutteoff
