Wyoming PBS is pleased to announce a special screening of “Miner’s Light,” a powerful documentary that examines the mental health issues faced by the state’s coal miners. The screening will be held on Thursday, Dec. 5, in Presentation Hall on the Gillette College campus.
Event details:
- date: Thursday, December 5th
- time: Refreshments at 5:30 p.m., screening at 6 p.m., followed by panel discussion.
- position: Presentation Hall, Gillette University, 300 W Sinclair St.
- Admission fee: Free and open to the public
This show is part of Wyoming PBS’ award-winning series “A State of Mind,” which aims to raise awareness about mental health issues in Wyoming communities.
“Miner’s Light” exposes the depression and suicidal thoughts plaguing coal miners in the Powder River Valley. But there is hope in the mining town of Gillette, where a group of coal miners, their workers, and therapists are finding creative ways to bring more mental health resources to the community. watch trailer here.
“Wyoming PBS is honored to bring ‘The Miner’s Light’ to Gillette for this special screening,” said Judd Rogers, Wyoming PBS Foundation Executive Director. “Mental health is a critically important issue, especially in industries like mining where workers often take a huge mental strain. We hope this event will promote understanding and make a huge contribution to our community.” We hope this will help foster conversations about how we can better support those who give.”
The evening begins with refreshments at 5:30 p.m., followed by a screening and panel discussion at 6 p.m. The panel will consist of individuals featured in the film and local health care workers. They examine documentary depictions of the emotional and psychological challenges faced by coal miners and discuss viable strategies to support worker mental health in this vital industry. Rogers will moderate the discussion.
This event is free and open to the public. This event is hosted in partnership with Gillette College Counseling Services, an event sponsor who is committed to promoting conversations about mental health in the community.
“A State of Mind” is the second season of the award-winning documentary series. Earlier this year, the episode “The Battle Inside” won a Heartland Branch Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In 2023, the series won three Heartland Emmy Awards for the episodes “The Lone Wolf-Addiction” and “The Pickup Man.” The third episode, “The Cowboy Code,” was also nominated last year.
The series is directed by Mat Hames of Alpheus Media and sponsored in part by the Hughes Charitable Foundation, Jack and Carol Nunn, John P. Elbogen Foundation, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming. Learn more about the series here. wyomingpbs.org/astateofmind/.
