Special Screening at Gillette College to Highlight Mental Health Challenges of Wyoming Coal Miners

Wyoming PBS is pleased to announce a special screening of “Miner’s Light,” a powerful documentary that explores the mental health challenges faced by coal miners in the state. The screening will take place on Thursday, December 5 at Presentation Hall on the Gillette College campus.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, December 5
• Time: Refreshments at 5:30 PM, Screening at 6:00 PM, followed by Panel Discussion
• Location: Presentation Hall, Gillette College, 300 W Sinclair St
• Admission: Free and Open to the Public

The show is part of Wyoming PBS’ award-winning series, “A State of Mind,” which seeks to raise awareness about mental health issues in Wyoming communities.

“Miner’s Light” exposes the depression and suicidal thoughts that plague coal miners in the Powder River Basin. But there is hope in the mining town of Gillette where a coal mine, its workers, and a group of therapists find creative ways to bring more mental health resources to the region. View the trailer here.

“Wyoming PBS is honored to bring ‘Miner’s Light’ to Gillette for this special screening,” says Judd Rogers, Wyoming PBS Foundation Executive Director. “Mental health is a vital issue, especially in industries like mining where workers often carry heavy emotional burdens. We hope this event will help foster understanding and encourage conversation about how we can better support those who contribute so much to our community.”

The evening will kick off with refreshments at 5:30 p.m., followed by the screening and panel discussion at 6 p.m. The panel will consist of individuals featured in the film and local healthcare providers; they will explore the documentary’s portrayal of the emotional and psychological challenges coal miners face and discuss actionable strategies for supporting workers’ mental health in this vital industry. Rogers will moderate the discussion.

This event is free and open to the public. It is presented in partnership with Gillette College Counseling Services, an event sponsor committed to fostering conversations about mental health in the community.

“A State of Mind” is an award-winning documentary series in its second season. Earlier this year, the episode, “The Battle Inside,” won a National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Heartland Chapter Emmy Award. In 2023, the series earned three Heartland Emmys for episodes, “The Lone Wolf–Addiction” and “The Pickup Man.” A third episode, “The Cowboy Code,” was also nominated last year.  

The series is directed by Mat Hames at Alpheus Media and is sponsored in part by the Hughes Charitable Foundation, Jack and Carole Nunn, the John P. Ellbogen Foundation, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming. For more information about the series, visit wyomingpbs.org/astateofmind/.