Drew Petersen’s Journey to Promote Mental Health

Professional skier Drew Petersen is on a mission to promote mental health. The best way he’s found to do this is talking about it, so over the past several years, he’s traveled to ski film showings, high schools, corporate events and other venues presenting his story as a vessel for this important topic. Killington Resort was thrilled to welcome him to speak to our staff and community on Sept. 26, 2023 in the Grand Hotel.

In short, Drew says he is ”focused on raising the conversation around mental health to help some awesome communities thrive, shape a healthier culture, decrease stigma, and hopefully to save lives.”

His presentation included a showing of his short film “Ups & Downs”, which chronicles his own struggles with PTSD, bipolar disorder, brain injury rehabilitation and suicidal thoughts, set to a backdrop of his idyllic life as a professional skier. Behind the powder turns, he tells a dark story of suicidal ideation in a poignant manner that opened the door for more conversations about the topic.

Discussions of mental health can be tricky and triggering, but Drew is a seasoned pro at navigating this touchy subject with frankness and tact. Following the film and his own honest and raw presentation, he welcomed comments and questions from the crowd, who were eager to learn more.

Life in a mountain town can seem like a dream, but Drew explained that it’s also challenging on many levels and for this reason, mountain communities often see higher suicide rates than more urban areas. Much of this is exacerbated by the culture and seasonal nature of life in these places, but that doesn’t mean we have to accept it or struggle silently.

In addition to telling his story, he offered several resources for help. He explained just being there to listen as a friend can be huge. He also stressed not being afraid to call the national crisis line at 9-8-8, call 9-1-1 if you’re in immediate danger, or even going to the emergency room.

“The entire goal of this is to take care of ourselves as priority number one,” Drew says.

To learn more about Drew and his mission, visit https://drew-petersen.com/upsanddowns