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Mental Health Awareness Month at SJH

Mental Health Awareness Month at SJH

Expanding access. Reducing stigma. Supporting the whole person.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to recognize that mental health is essential to overall health. At St. John’s Health (SJH), that belief is reflected in the care we provide year-round—and we're using this moment as an opportunity to share how our commitment to mental health continues to grow.

Over the past year, we’ve continued to strengthen our behavioral health program—making it more connected, more visible, and easier to access. Our goal is simple: make support easier to access—and harder to overlook.

Supporting the Emotional Side of Cancer Care

In 2024, we expanded behavioral health services into oncology—so patients and their families receive care that supports their emotional wellbeing alongside their medical treatment. This included the addition of two new providers who help patients feel more supported and less alone during some of life’s most difficult moments:

Bufkin Moore, PsyD. – A licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate the emotional challenges of cancer care

Matt Shlim, PCSW – A social worker with a background in mental health treatment, case management, and advocacy, known for his thoughtful, compassionate approach

Coming Fall 2025: Adult Psychiatry Services

Through generous funding from St. John’s Health Foundation and the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, this fall SJH will welcome Dr. Leah Fortson, an adult psychiatrist—the first to join our team. Her arrival will expand local access to psychiatric care, offering evaluation and medication management for adults seeking this level of support.

Dr. Fortson earned her medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine, where she co-chaired both the Meditation Club and the Wilderness Medicine Club. During residency, she helped lead initiatives such as the Psychiatry Inclusion Committee and an Anti-Stigma Campaign.

Outside of medicine, she’s a passionate outdoor enthusiast who enjoys trail running, backcountry skiing, kayaking, and mountaineering. She once cycled 1,800 miles from Colorado to Ohio to raise awareness for suicide prevention—blending her love for adventure with a deep commitment to mental health advocacy.

Caring for Our Team and Community

This May, employees are invited to take part in Mental Health Awareness Month activities that promote connection, reflection, and everyday wellbeing.

To foster a culture of awareness and care, we’re offering:

  • Educational programs on workplace resilience, with tools to help manage stress and support one another

  • Green lightbulbs for staff to take home and display—an easy, visible way to show support for mental health awareness and help reduce stigma. (Green is the official color of Mental Health Awareness Month)

  • Coloring books in staff break rooms, a small but effective stress-relief tool, giving team members a moment of calm during busy days

“Too often, people delay or avoid mental health care because it feels complicated or out of reach,” said Lindsay Long, SJH Administrator and Service Line Leader of Behavioral Health. “We’re working to change that—by providing support that feels simple and accessible.”

Beyond our organization, SJH continues to collaborate with the Teton Behavioral Health Alliance on a regional needs assessment to better align mental health services and plan for the future.

How to Access Behavioral Health Services

At SJH, we offer two pathways to accessing behavioral health services, depending on your needs.

1. Behavioral Health Through Your SJH Care Team

Licensed behavioral health providers are embedded within several SJH clinics and work closely with our medical teams. These services require a referral from your SJH primary care provider.

Current embedded providers include:

  • Lauren Furtney, LCSW (Family Medicine)

  • Avery Bell, LPC (Internal Medicine)

  • Bufkin Moore, PsyD. (Oncology)

  • Matt Shlim, PCSW (Oncology)

Need a primary care provider? We can help you get started:

2. Psychiatry Services (Evaluation & Medication Management)

Psychiatric care is available for children, adolescents, and—starting this fall—adults. These services do not require an SJH referral. We accept self-referrals and referrals from any provider.

Psychiatry providers:

  • Dr. Leah Fortson – Adult psychiatry (available Fall 2025)

To schedule an appointment, call: 307.739.4818

Mental health is health. And at SJH, we’re committed to making that care accessible, integrated, and centered on what matters most: the people we serve.