Q&A: 10 questions with Shannon Steele at Be Well Big Sky
Drug and alcohol use, suicide, and relationship abuse might not be the first things people think of when they think of Big Sky or Montana, but a group of Big Sky volunteers are working to not only make it okay to talk about these things, but to ask for and to receive help and support.
Be Well Big Sky hosted a storytelling event at Lone Mountain Ranch on Oct. 1 this year. (Courtesy photo.)
The volunteers, part of what is called the Navigator Network, are just one program under the umbrella of Be Well Big Sky, an initiative launched in 2021 to support Big Sky residents’ mental health and well being. The Big Sky Behavioral Health Coalition formed in 2020 and was a key driver of this initiative alongside community members who formed the network. Partners included Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, Big Sky Community Organization, Wellness in Action, Human Resource Development Council - Big Sky Community Food Bank, Bozeman Health - Big Sky Medical Center, and Rimrock.
The Big Sky Behavioral Health Coalition has now expanded to health and wellness partners across the Gallatin Valley and also includes Haven, Big Sky Bandage, Santosha Wellness Center, Moving Mountains, Bienvenidos, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, and more.
Director Shannon Steele chatted with Haven recently about Be Well Big Sky’s work. The following Q&A has been condensed and lightly edited.
Q. Could you share the story behind the founding of Be Well Big Sky and what inspired you to take on the role of its Director?
A. Shannon Steele: The founding of Be Well Big Sky emerged organically over three years under the leadership of the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation. It was spurred by the 2020 Behavioral Health Initiative Report by Davis and Associates highlighting significant mental and behavioral health challenges in our community. The initiative aims to increase awareness of existing resources, with the Navigator Network composed of diverse community members playing a key role. My own lived experience, background in psychology and community health, coupled with first-hand experience in HR at Hungry Moose Market and Deli, inspired me to take on this role.
Q. How has your grassroots, peer-to-peer model been effective in engaging the community?
A. Shannon Steele: With 30 navigators, we've started shifting conversations within friend groups and workplaces. Navigators meet community members organically, assisting them by listening and connecting them to needed resources. Trusted and familiar faces, they often share their personal mental health journeys, making them relatable.
Q. Given Montana’s high suicide rates, what cultural barriers does your organization face, and how are the embedded community members working to shift this conversation?
A. Shannon Steele: The normalized drinking culture and transient nature of the community create barriers. It’s challenging to create deep, trustworthy relationships. However, long-term community members help foster these relationships, modeling positive behavior and encouraging open conversations about mental health within their social networks.
Q. How do you collaborate with other organizations, including Haven, to promote wellness and support?
A. Shannon Steele: Local organizations helped us birth Be Well Big Sky. We maintain regular feedback loops between our Navigator Network and coalition partners, including Haven, sharing insights and updates. Navigators also attend community events to spread awareness about available resources.
Q. Could you describe a couple of key programs that Be Well Big Sky has implemented and their impact on the community?
A. Shannon Steele: Our Community First Aid program has trained over 32 community facilitators who have, in turn, trained over 450 people. This training, known as Holistic Emotional First Aid, promotes stress reduction techniques and supports community connections. We also work with Rimrock and other organizations to build a peer support program in Big Sky, which has significantly impacted substance use treatment and support.
Q. Can you elaborate on the role and day-to-day activities of wellness navigators?
A. Shannon Steele: Navigators show up in various ways—like a well-loved teacher creating wellness boards or using emotional first aid tools in their classrooms, or an HR professional incorporating wellness into onboarding. They might also assist roommates in crisis, coordinating support and safety measures. Their work varies but always focuses on providing support and connecting people to resources.
Q. Are there resources available in Spanish for the growing number of Spanish-speaking people in Big Sky?
A. Shannon Steele: Our website and resource cards are available in Spanish, but there’s a lack of sufficient Spanish-language resources for referrals. We’re striving to broaden our network of Spanish-speaking navigators to support and alleviate the sense of isolation within the Spanish-speaking community. Bienvenidos has hired a Case Manager to help people navigate resources and is available at the Big Sky Community Food Bank. This resource has been so critical in our community. Other organizations are bringing language access services to Big Sky as well.
Q. What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role, and how do you navigate them?
A. Shannon Steele: Meeting diverse community needs and the sense of urgency are significant challenges. We also face stigma, which prevents people from seeking help, and the complexity of coordinating care systems with different goals. Persistence and trust are essential in integrating our grassroots initiative with the healthcare system.
Q. How has the community response been to Be Well Big Sky?
A. Shannon Steele: The response has been largely enthusiastic, with word-of-mouth recruitment for the Navigator Network. Organizations have supported us financially. However, there’s also some confusion about how Be Well Big Sky fits within the existing care system. We hope that with more outreach and awareness people will begin to understand that grassroots, community-initiated care is critical in the referral pathway to care. It’s hard to make a cold call for help, and much easier to go to a trusted friend or neighbor who can help make the warm hand-off.
Q. What are your future goals and vision for Be Well Big Sky?
A. Shannon Steele: We aim to expand and diversify the Navigator Network and strengthen their training programs. Embedding community first aid practices sustainably within organizations is another goal. We also hope to replicate our successful model in other areas facing similar challenges.