Tuesday, January 27, 2026

5:30 pm

Bozeman Health, Bitterroot & Meadowlark conference rooms. 

Directions: Bozeman Health Deaconess Campus (915 Highland Blvd). Park in lot A or B (entrance 1). There will be signs in the lobby directing you to the room. 

Brought to you by Bridger Ski Foundation and Bozeman Health 

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Every parent wants their kid to thrive—and navigating the tween and teen years comes with questions and surprises for all of us. Whether your child is flourishing, facing specific challenges, or somewhere in between, this year's BSF Parent Night offers practical insights and community resources to support your family's journey.

We’ll cover:

• Fostering connections (with parents, coaches and peers) so teenagers can stay engaged, happier and build more resilience in every facet of their lives;
• Utilizing sports psychology
• Understanding the behavioral health (mental health and substance use) prevalence and impact in our community;
• Resources available to you.
• Q & A session

Open to all BSF parents, guardians, staff and community members. Light refreshments will be served.

SPEAKERS: 

Emily Danza  was an athlete and Alpine ski coach at both the club level with BSF and then at the collegiate level before becoming a well-respected sports and performance consultant and clinical therapist working with organizations such as the Colorado Rapids. Emily works with BSF each year to help our athletes and coaches thrive. 

Kirsten Smith serves as the coordinator of the Gallatin Behavioral Health Coalition, where she has worked for more than five years to bring together providers, first responders, funders, and government agencies to strengthen Gallatin County’s continuum of mental health and substance use services for adults and youth through a collective impact approach.

Nicole Madden is the System Director of Psychiatric Services at Bozeman Health. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and a Master’s in Business Administration . Nicole has worked in community mental health and community based care for more than 14 years, and is deeply tied to community service through her position on the Gallatin Behavioral Health coalition for the last 5 years as well as the Central Service Area Authority and the Mental Health Local Advisory Council. 

THE BSF MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE

As one of our communities oldest and largest nonprofits serving youth, BSF is in the fourth year of a mental health initiative, which provides educational resources that reach BSF parents, athletes, and coaches. 

THE GOAL

Holistically incorporate mental health and wellness into ski programming by equipping middle and high school athletes, coaches, and parents with the tools, skills and resources to decrease stress and anxiety and increase confidence and performance in all areas of life.

This initiative includes: 

• Professional training for our coaching staff–providing more tools to recognize mental health warning signs, as well as tools specific to sports psychology. 
• A mental health professional on retainer who provides resources, and also works with our teams on everything from every day mental health to preparing for competition. 
• Additional sessions, including mindfulness and nutrition training for our athletes.
• Resources for parents and community members. 
• An online toolkit
• Toolkit pack for athletes

BSF’s Mental Health Initiative is made possible by the generous support of Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Bozeman Health, and the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation. 

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