Sagent Supports YMCA of the North Staff Amid Wildfire Crisis
When communities experience a crisis, the emotional impact often extends far beyond the immediate emergency. In the days following the recent wildfires that affected the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) and surrounding region, Sagent Behavioral Health was honored to partner with YMCA of the North Camp Menogyn to provide mental health support for the counselors and wilderness guides who supported and safeguarded campers during this uncertain time.
As the wildfires expanded, YMCA staff faced rapidly changing conditions that required them to adjust trail hike/canoe locations, cancel trips, and navigate emergency response efforts, all while continuing to prioritize the safety and well-being of the middle and high school aged campers in their care.
Molly Sartor, one of our mental health professionals who led the training, reflected on the experience:
"It was an honor to work with these amazing trail guides and support them getting back to the work they do best,” she said.
Recognizing that experiences like this can be emotionally challenging, Sagent mobilized a small team of mental health professionals to Camp Menogyn to lead a training focused on recognizing stress responses and building a strengths-based toolkit for counselors to use during challenging moments.
This courageous group of 60 counselors and wilderness guides demonstrated a steadfast resilience while navigating an unprecedented situation. The training provided an opportunity to reflect on those experiences, recognize the strengths they demonstrated, and learn practical strategies for caring for themselves as they continue supporting others.
We are grateful for this partnership and opportunity to provide mental health support beyond the walls of our clinics and to directly invest in the communities we serve. Whether through direct patient interactions or partnerships like this, we’re proud to meet our community where they are and provide person-centered care when it’s needed most.
