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October 7–8, 2026 | Jackson Hole, Wyoming

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Advancing Systems. Strengthening Communities. Transforming Outcomes.

The Intermountain West Youth Mental Health Symposium convenes health professionals, educators, researchers, and youth-serving leaders committed to improving outcomes for youth and young adults.

Focused on the distinct challenges and opportunities within rural, frontier, and mountain communities, this symposium is designed to move beyond awareness towards advancing evidence-based, trauma-informed practices that strengthen youth mental health systems.

Event Details

Dates: October 7–8
 Start Time: 8:45 AM on October 7
 End Time: 4:30 PM on October 8

To support meaningful participation and connection, attendees are encouraged to plan travel that allows for full engagement across both days.

Evening Convening

On October 7, a limited-capacity dinner will be held for registered attendees. This gathering is designed to foster deeper conversation, strengthen relationships, and extend the day’s dialogue in a more intimate setting.

Advance RSVP will be required. Additional details will be shared following registration.

Symposium Presenters

Dr. Aaron J. Fischer

Dr. Aaron J. Fischer

Associate Professor of Psychology at Utah State University and licensed psychologist with 20+ years of experience. He founded the Utah School Mental Health Collaborative and researches technology-enabled behavioral health, including telehealth and school-based care for rural and underserved communities.

Ralph Fawaz

Ralph Fawaz

Founder and Executive Director of Tele-Hope, a Wyoming nonprofit focused on suicide prevention through connection, belonging, and peer support. He helps young people build community through workshops, curriculum, and research-informed programs that strengthen relationships and advance mental health and suicide prevention efforts.

Dr. Holly Wilcox

Dr. Holly Wilcox

Professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Suicide Prevention. An internationally recognized researcher, her work focuses on reducing suicide through public health policy, early intervention, community-based programs, and data-driven prevention strategies.

Maggon Osmond

Maggon Osmond

Community leader, educator, and founder of Kindness Matters EDU with more than 20 years of experience supporting schools and communities. She also serves as Wyoming Representative for Stand4Kind, promoting resilience, connection, mental wellness, and positive organizational culture through education, advocacy, and leadership.

Ian Fletcher

Ian Fletcher

Ph.D. candidate in Economics at the University of Wyoming whose research examines behavioral decision-making in prevention. He serves as Co-Director and Vice President of Tele-Hope, helping expand youth suicide prevention programs and connection-building workshops that have reached more than 6,000 young people nationwide.

Susan Shebby, Ed.M

Susan Shebby, Ed.M

Principal Research Director at NORC with more than 30 years of experience in education as a teacher, evaluator, and leader. She leads large-scale technical assistance and evaluation initiatives focused on behavioral health, STEM education, school improvement, and community development across the United States and internationally.

Craig Barringer

Craig Barringer

Brings more than 40 years of experience in education, serving as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and Deputy Superintendent for Montana's Office of Public Instruction. His leadership, coaching, and commitment to student wellbeing have shaped a lifelong dedication to supporting students' academic, emotional, and social success.

Carson Domey

Carson Domey

Executive Director of the Coalition for Student Wellbeing, where he mobilizes student leaders to advance campus wellbeing policies nationwide. He has supported state and federal mental health initiatives and is pursuing a Master of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.

Jill Harkavy-Friedman, Ph.D.

Jill Harkavy-Friedman, Ph.D.

Senior Vice President of Research at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, leading research, education, and advocacy initiatives. A clinician and researcher with 40 years of experience, she has published more than 130 scholarly works and trained clinicians nationwide.

Derrick Hull, Ph.D.

Derrick Hull, Ph.D.

Clinical psychologist, researcher, and technologist specializing in AI for mental health. Previously held R&D roles at Talkspace, Noom, and Mindbloom. Published in Nature, PNAS, and JAMA, with research focused on AI-mediated mental health interventions, psychotherapy, mechanisms of change, and real-world evidence.

Dr. Aaron J. Fischer

Dr. Aaron J. Fischer

Associate Professor of Psychology at Utah State University and licensed psychologist with 20+ years of experience. He founded the Utah School Mental Health Collaborative and researches technology-enabled behavioral health, including telehealth and school-based care for rural and underserved communities.

Ralph Fawaz

Ralph Fawaz

Founder and Executive Director of Tele-Hope, a Wyoming nonprofit focused on suicide prevention through connection, belonging, and peer support. He helps young people build community through workshops, curriculum, and research-informed programs that strengthen relationships and advance mental health and suicide prevention efforts.

Dr. Holly Wilcox

Dr. Holly Wilcox

Professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Suicide Prevention. An internationally recognized researcher, her work focuses on reducing suicide through public health policy, early intervention, community-based programs, and data-driven prevention strategies.

Maggon Osmond

Maggon Osmond

Community leader, educator, and founder of Kindness Matters EDU with more than 20 years of experience supporting schools and communities. She also serves as Wyoming Representative for Stand4Kind, promoting resilience, connection, mental wellness, and positive organizational culture through education, advocacy, and leadership.

Ian Fletcher

Ian Fletcher

Ph.D. candidate in Economics at the University of Wyoming whose research examines behavioral decision-making in prevention. He serves as Co-Director and Vice President of Tele-Hope, helping expand youth suicide prevention programs and connection-building workshops that have reached more than 6,000 young people nationwide.

Derrick Hull, Ph.D.

Derrick Hull, Ph.D.

Clinical psychologist, researcher, and technologist specializing in AI for mental health. Previously held R&D roles at Talkspace, Noom, and Mindbloom. Published in Nature, PNAS, and JAMA, with research focused on AI-mediated mental health interventions, psychotherapy, mechanisms of change, and real-world evidence.

Susan Shebby, Ed.M

Susan Shebby, Ed.M

Principal Research Director at NORC with more than 30 years of experience in education as a teacher, evaluator, and leader. She leads large-scale technical assistance and evaluation initiatives focused on behavioral health, STEM education, school improvement, and community development across the United States and internationally.

Craig Barringer

Craig Barringer

Brings more than 40 years of experience in education, serving as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and Deputy Superintendent for Montana's Office of Public Instruction. His leadership, coaching, and commitment to student wellbeing have shaped a lifelong dedication to supporting students' academic, emotional, and social success.

Jill Harkavy-Friedman, Ph.D.

Jill Harkavy-Friedman, Ph.D.

Senior Vice President of Research at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, leading research, education, and advocacy initiatives. A clinician and researcher with 40 years of experience, she has published more than 130 scholarly works and trained clinicians nationwide.

Carson Domey

Carson Domey

Executive Director of the Coalition for Student Wellbeing, where he mobilizes student leaders to advance campus wellbeing policies nationwide. He has supported state and federal mental health initiatives and is pursuing a Master of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.
REGISTER TODAY!

Why This Symposium Matters

Youth mental health systems across the Intermountain West (Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Idaho, and Utah) face increasing demand, workforce shortages, and geographic barriers to care. Addressing these challenges requires more than isolated solutions—it requires collaboration across sectors, shared learning, and actionable strategies.

This symposium creates space for that work.

Attendees will engage with regional and national leaders to explore:

  • Emerging research and data shaping the field
  • Scalable, community-based prevention strategies
  • Innovations in treatment and crisis response
  • Cross-sector partnerships driving measurable impact

Who Should Attend

  • Healthcare providers and mental health professionals
  • K–12 and higher education leaders
  • Researchers and policy advocates
  • Nonprofit and community-based organizations
  • Youth-serving professionals across sectors
  • Clinical Psychologists

Why This Symposium Matters

Youth mental health systems across the Intermountain West (Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Idaho, and Utah) face increasing demand, workforce shortages, and geographic barriers to care. Addressing these challenges requires more than isolated solutions—it requires collaboration across sectors, shared learning, and actionable strategies.

This symposium creates space for that work.

Attendees will engage with regional and national leaders to explore:

  • Emerging research and data shaping the field
  • Scalable, community-based prevention strategies
  • Innovations in treatment and crisis response
  • Cross-sector partnerships driving measurable impact

Who Should Attend

  • Healthcare providers and mental health professionals

  • K–12 and higher education leaders

  • Researchers and policy advocates

  • Nonprofit and community-based organizations

  • Youth-serving professionals across sectors

  • Clinical Psychologist

Accommodations

SpringHill Suites Marriott

RESERVE ONLINE

Mountain Modern

Guests can call Mountain Modern directly at 307-733-4340, ext. 1, and mention the Ortus Foundation room block and their stay dates. Their agents will book the reservation and provide confirmation.

Guests can also go to the below online booking link to receive the same discount.

RESERVE ONLINE

Please note, this is not the general Mountain Modern website, but a unique link for your room block.

Hosted by Ortus Foundation

Ortus Foundation works at the intersection of systems, strategy, and early intervention to address youth mental health at its source. By aligning capital, expertise, and partnerships, Ortus advances solutions that are scalable, sustainable, and rooted in community need.

This symposium reflects that commitment—bringing together those doing the work to accelerate progress where it’s needed most.