May is Mental Health Month, a topic at the top of the agenda for not one, but two presentations at the Wilkinson Public Library on Wednesday.

In an email to the Daily Planet, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser’s office ranked “youth mental health” first in a list of “timely topics facing families and communities in San Miguel County” the state’s attorney will touch on at an in-person talk at the library Wednesday morning.

You might say topic number two on Weiser’s Wednesday agenda — school safety — is related to topic number one. Also up for discussion: “childcare, workforce, environmental and economic priorities” and updates from Weiser’s office “on topics of interest to participants.” Weiser’s presentation is in the library’s program room from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

‘COMMUNITY CONVERSATION’

Later Wednesday, the library will host a “Community Conversation” on Mental Health and Substance Use Awareness — the second in a series of five presentations on challenging topics taking place at the Wilkinson this year.

The event will begin with a community dinner, from 5-5:30 p.m. The program goes from 5:30-7 p.m.; child care will be provided, and Spanish translation will be available.

The presentations are the result of “a consortium” between Tri-County Health Network, San Miguel County Public Health and the library, county health director Grace Franklin explained. “We looked at Healthy Kid Colorado surveys and identified some of the biggest needs” in the local community. “A lot center around difficult topics,” Franklin added, including drug use and alcohol use.

“We have some harm-reduction tools available” at no charge from SMPH, Franklin added, including fentanyl test strips, Narcan (which can reverse an opioid overdose) and free condoms. Franklin, and several members of TCH, “will co-present on why harm reduction is a positive approach toward substance abuse, and different ways to support your loved ones,” she said.

“As the title implies, this is not just a ‘talk-atcha’ event. There’ll be time and space to share, shame free and judgment free; it’s an open space for discussions.” Though the phrase “community conversations” could be construed to be shorthand for “adult conversations,” Franklin emphasized that the discussion on Wednesday “is not exclusive to parents.”

“A teen might be seeing behaviors in their friends and be worried; you could be concerned about a coworker,” she said. “Everyone who comes is welcome. This is not an easy topic.” All the more reason “to gather all the (coping) tools together” with the help of experts on Wednesday “and put them in your toolbox.”

MEDICATION DROP-OFF DAY

Both SMPH and TCH will host a day to drop off prescription medications safely next Thursday, May 16.

“We’ll be at the Telluride Marshal’s Department, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.,” Franklin said. “I understand that going through the gates,” as she put it, and entering a law-enforcement space “can be a little intimidating.”

The idea is to have friendly, non-law-enforcement-related faces welcoming those who would like to safely dispose of their medications in place for a few hours as a way of “breaking down barriers,” Franklin said.

In fact, the Telluride Marshal’s Department has a 24-hour dropbox “at the left side of our front door” at 134 S. Spruce St., administrative assistant Charlotte Coffe said. “We’re open at all hours if someone doesn’t want to come inside,” she added. “The box is actually pretty well used.”

A note on the drug drop-off box reads, “Thank you for using this safe disposal site. All items deposited will be destroyed. Remove al personal information from containers” and lists what can be deposited (prescription pills and patches, pet medications, cannabis and vape products) and what should not be (syringes, bloody or infectious waste, liquids, lotions, inhalers and aerosols).

‘HEALTH MONTH’ AT TELLURIDE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

Finally, TRMC is celebrating health all month long, by offering wellness visits to locals at a time when it is easier to schedule appointments — and at reduced prices.

“Less than half of TRMC patients receive their annual preventive medical care,” a flier notes (recommendations are that you see a primary care provider annually for a wellness visit).

“In the month of May, during the quiet season in Telluride, we add additional visit times for these important visits. Restaurant industry workers, hospitality staff, service workers, outdoor industry professionals and anyone else who may be uninsured or underinsured: this is for you.”

“For all those who have insurance, your annual physical is covered,” Alline Arguelles, TRMC’s primary care practice manager, explained. “For those who don’t, or are underinsured, that’s what these specials” — an annual exam and appropriate blood work for $175 — “are for. This event is for regional people, all the way out to the West End, and Rico, to Ouray and Ridgway,” she added. “We want to catch everyone in the region, and make sure people are taking advantage” of a quiet time, and reduced prices, so they can obtain a wellness visit.

Call 970-728-3848 to schedule an appointment, or drop by the medical center.