This weekend, snowboarders, supporters and the greater Flathead Valley community will come together for the 26th Annual Nate Chute Banked Slalom and Boardercross event at Whitefish Mountain Resort. More than just a competition, this event is a powerful gathering in support of mental wellness and suicide prevention, benefiting the Nate Chute Foundation (NCF).

This year’s fundraiser is already off to an incredible start, with a peer-to-peer fundraising team of 20 people having raised over $25,000 toward a $35,000 goal. Additional fundraising activities throughout the weekend will help boost this total, reinforcing the community’s commitment to supporting mental health resources in the Flathead Valley.

"This event is truly special," says Corrie Holloway, NCF Outreach Coordinator. "The group of people who come together for this weekend is a testament to the strength and generosity of our community. Their support of NCF’s mission is a powerful reminder of the collective effort it takes to make a difference, and we are incredibly grateful for the love and encouragement they bring to this cause."

Weekend Schedule & Fundraising Events

Friday, March 22:

• Pint Night at Blackstar Brewpub with Auction & Raffle (5 – 8:30 PM) – Hosted by Stumptown Snowboards, a raffle and silent auction with awesome gear and local art, as well as a great community kick off to the weekend.
• Dine at Huck’s Place in Whitefish – Mention Nate Chute Foundation, and 10% of your order will be donated to NCF.

Saturday, March 23:

• Banked Slalom Competition - Cheer on the competitors from the sidelines!
• Pint Night at Bonsai Brewing Project (4-8 PM)

Sunday, March 24:

• Boardercross – Watch athletes compete on the Goat Haunt course in an exciting head-to-head format.
• Lap for the Lost (4:15 PM) – A participant-led gathering at the statue at the top of Chair 2. Please note: this is not an official NCF or Whitefish Mountain Resort event but rather an organic moment of remembrance for those impacted by loss.
• Awards Ceremony – Wrapping up the weekend by celebrating the fastest racers and the NCF fundraising champions who have made an enormous impact on NCF.
• Raffle for a Whitefish Mountain Resort Ski Pass – Tickets are $25 each, with only 300 available. The lucky winner will be drawn at the awards ceremony on Sunday. Contact [email protected] to purchase.

A Weekend of Community & ConnectionThis annual event is a local favorite, bringing together snowboarders of all ages and abilities, along with friends, family, and supporters, to celebrate the power of community in the face of life’s challenges. In a world that can sometimes feel divided, the Nate Chute Banked Slalom and Boardercross event stands as a beacon of connection, resilience, and shared purpose.

Every dollar raised helps NCF continue its vital work in suicide prevention, education, and mental health advocacy throughout the Flathead Valley. To learn more or contribute to the fundraiser, visit www.natechutefoundation.org.

Let’s make this weekend one to remember—on and off the slopes

Benefits of New Year’s Resolutions and Goals

• Boosts Motivation and Direction: Setting New Year’s resolutions can provide a sense of purpose, offering a clear path to self-improvement. Goals help you focus on areas you want to grow in and give you measurable milestones to track progress, which can be incredibly motivating. 
• Encourages Healthy Habits: Many resolutions center on self-care, such as exercising more, eating healthier, or prioritizing mental well-being. These habits contribute to improved physical and mental health, creating a positive feedback loop of well-being. 
• Promotes a Sense of Accomplishment: Achieving even small resolutions can boost self-esteem and confidence, providing evidence of your ability to set and reach goals. This sense of achievement can foster optimism and resilience, key factors for mental health.

Reasons to Rethink the Resolutions

• Avoid the Disappointment Trap: The "all-or-nothing" mindset of resolutions often leads to feelings of failure if goals aren’t achieved perfectly. Letting go of rigid expectations allows you to approach personal growth with more grace and flexibility.
• Encourage Self-Compassion: Resolutions often focus on what needs to be “fixed” rather than what’s already great about you. Skipping resolutions can free you to practice self-acceptance and gratitude, both of which are essential for mental health.
• Prevent Unnecessary Stress: For many, resolutions can feel like a source of pressure rather than inspiration. If your goals feel overwhelming or unattainable, they can lead to stress and anxiety, undermining your mental health.
  
  
  

What to Do Instead

• Set Flexible Intentions: Instead of rigid resolutions, set intentions that are adaptable and focused on values rather than outcomes. For example, aim to “move more” rather than commit to a strict gym schedule.
• Focus on Daily Self-Care: Incorporate simple, manageable self-care activities into your routine, like journaling, meditating, or enjoying a hobby. Small, consistent actions can lead to big mental health benefits over time. 
• Reflect on Gratitude and Growth: Use the new year as a time to reflect on your achievements and joys from the past year rather than dwelling on perceived shortcomings. This shift in perspective can foster a positive mindset and reduce feelings of inadequacy.
• Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection: Embrace the idea that improvement is a journey, not a destination. Celebrate small wins and focus on growth rather than strict outcomes, promoting a sense of self-acceptance and positivity.

By taking a flexible, self-compassionate approach to the new year, you can prioritize mental well-being and make meaningful, sustainable changes at your own pace.

Sources: mentalhealthfirstaid.org, foundationswellness.net, riviamind.com

"As Montana’s youth suicide rates continue to outpace the national average, with Flathead County ranking near the top, local coaches, educator, and prevention experts say stories of strength and resilience are important mile markers in the marathon of mental wellness.
​
BY MICAH DREW
​OCTOBER 27, 2024

Running 26.2 miles is not a feasible treatment option for everyone struggling with mental health or suicidal ideation, but any intentional acts of physical or mental well-being can be hugely beneficial, says Nicci Schellinger-Daniher, program director for the Nate Chute Foundation.

“Not everyone can do a marathon, but youths and adolescents look for milestones they can achieve at that age. Setting even little, positive goals you can do for yourself like getting better sleep, or going for walks can be hugely beneficial. We talk about this in classrooms now — find those things to destress, walking your dog, taking time to pet your cat, reading a book. Even though these things seem simple, they all add up to how we show up in the world,” Daniher said. “I remember hearing about Connor completing the marathon and it’s an absolutely great story. It’s important to show stories of strength and resilience because they’re as important in the landscape of prevention as those about warning signs and who to talk to and so on.”

Conversations surrounding suicide prevention increase following tragedies, but Daniher and other mental health professional emphasize the need to have conversations more regularly.
The Nate Chute Foundation has been an anchor in the Flathead Valley’s suicide awareness landscape for decades and is continually evolving its approach, most recently following a 16-month stretch in 2021 when eight Flathead Valley teenagers died by suicide, raising awareness and outreach in a community struck by tragedy.

“We’re still grieving and learning from the crisis we saw in 2021,” Daniher said. “One thing that emerged for Nate Chute Foundation after that period was we changed our mission. It was initially focused on preventing suicide in the Flathead Valley, and then we added promotion of mental wellness, because we don’t want to strictly address this from the standard suicide-prevention protocol of talking about risk factors and warning signs. One way to approach suicide prevention is to approach it from strength. Get in classrooms and not just talk about hard things that may lead you to mental health struggles, but about the positive things you can do for yourself.”

The Glacier High School soccer team at Legends Stadium on Sept. 16, 2021. Prior to the match, the players paid tribute to a teammate who died by suicide less than 10 days earlier. Hunter D’Antuono | Flathead BeaconAnother change that Daniher said has occurred in recent years is the start of grassroots student clubs at each of the valley’s high schools centered around mental wellness and nurturing open dialogue.

“We want to normalize talking about what we’re going through. If you can talk to your friends about going to physical therapy because you broke your leg, we want you to be able to talk to them about going to a therapist in the same way,” Daniher said. “Getting kids to normalize checking in on one another and be OK saying, ‘at this moment, life sucks and I’m not doing well.’ Saying that out loud can take the lid off the boiling pot of water and reduces the chance of someone going through with thoughts of suicide.”

Read the full article here: ​https://flatheadbeacon.com/2024/10/27/running-for-your-life/

"Many of us have confided in others during dark times, and vice versa. But it can feel awkward, evening frightening, not knowing what to do when a loved one or peer shows signs of suicide." 

Our mission here at NCF is to, support, educate, and empower our communities to promote mental wellness and reduce suicide.​ One way we carry out this mission is to provide free community trainings.

Join us for our next class on April 9th at the Bigfork Arts & Cultural Center. This 90 minute LEARN training, developed by Forefront Suicide Prevention from the University of Washington, teaches people the 5-step process to talk with people about how they are doing, if they are considering suicide, and how to take the next steps to try and keep them safe.

Executive produced by Olympic ski racing legend and Montana resident Bode Miller and Emmy Award-winning impact sports filmmaker Brett Rapkin (HBO’s “The Weight of Gold”), THE PARADISE PARADOX is a long overdue look at the mental health crisis that has been sweeping America’s mountain towns and the innovative solutions being developed in response. The film is told through the experiences of not only the local heroes who are confronting these challenges but also renowned figures like Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin. From the ski patroller at Mammoth Mountain to the lift operator in Deer Valley, to the young snowboarder trying to improve their community, to affluent residents throughout the region, THE PARADISE PARADOX sheds light on the root causes of the mental health challenges in the snow sports industry and in America’s mountain towns, including isolation, lack of resources, substance abuse, and stigma. Featuring stories from a diverse group of hard-working, inspiring families, individuals, and community members, there is also a focus on creative and scalable solutions local stakeholders, such as Alterra Mountain Company and Vail Health Behavioral Health, are creating in response.
This film is designed to reduce stigma and give audiences the opportunity to connect and identify with each character’s struggles and triumphs. Woven throughout will be a focus on hopeful, local solutions that communities can consider and replicate in order to improve mental health outcomes for all.

​Content Advisory: THE PARADISE PARADOX includes depictions of mental health challenges, substance abuse, and discussions of suicide. These themes may be distressing or upsetting for some viewers. We advise viewer discretion and recommend having a support system in place to discuss and process any emotions or reactions that may arise while watching the film. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, severe negative thoughts, thoughts of suicide, or is in crisis, please seek professional help or reach out to a trusted individual for support. Your health and well-being is important.

Thursday, March 14th at 6pm
Whitefish Performing Arts Center

Panel discussion immediately afterwards. Panelists include: Kacy Howard from NCF, Dr. Doug Muir from Logan Health Behavioral Health, Sarah Gehl from FCCHD, and Nick Polumbus from Whitefish Mountain Resort. 

On Thursday, NCF hosted 50 individuals representing various local responder organizations to discuss the implementation of resilience-building systems. The aim is to prevent burnout and long-term traumatic stress among teams, particularly EMTs, paramedics, and other first responders who may experience posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms due to repeated exposure to human pain and suffering.
NCF seeks to support local responders and outdoor professionals by providing tools, training, and guidance through the Responder Alliance program based in Boulder, Colorado. These training sessions are designed to contribute to the development of vital and healthy workplace cultures.
Among the attendees were representatives from Whitefish Mountain Ski Patrol, Flathead Avalanche Center, Flathead Nordic Backcountry Patrol, Whitefish and Kalispell Police and Fire Departments, Glacier National Park, Flathead National Forest, and Kalispell School District.
We express our gratitude to the National Forest Service, Responder Alliance, and MacKenzie River Pizza for their collaboration in facilitating this important conversation in the valley.