As a young, active male who loves to ski, Dylan Stein sees himself as the ultimate profile of a typical Summit County resident. He also knows he’s not the only one with darkness to fight. 

When Stein moved to the county from Portland, Oregon, in October 2021, he thought the scenery and easy access to the slopes would provide a cure for the depression he’d been battling for years. 

“I came out here to run away from my depression,” the 28-year-old said. “I thought once I get out there, I’ll get out of it. The thing is, it follows you wherever you go.”

Adding a layer of negative feelings, Stein became frustrated with himself knowing he was fulfilling his dream of living in a ski town, but not finding the happiness he had believed would come with it. 

Stein had thought he would instantly find like-minded people and make a solid group of friends. It didn’t play out that way. 

“It’s hard to find your community here. It’s so transient. … I desperately wanted to fit in. It took me a long time.”

Stein considers himself extremely lucky that he had people to talk to, especially his father. He points out that although his father’s generation was never encouraged to be open about emotions, he always made time to listen and make Stein feel comfortable and safe opening up about his feelings. 

“I can’t tell you how much that has meant have a father that listens and allows you to be emotional and vulnerable and has taken those late-night calls when I was going through some hard times,” Stein said. “He held that space for me. I’m eternally grateful to my mother and father for holding that space, teaching me there’s nothing wrong with being sensitive.”

Pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Adams State University and as Building Hope’s care team coordinator, Stein knows that not everybody is so lucky to have loved ones to call. 

“There’s a lot of people in tough situations without anyone to talk to. … I can promise in this county, someone is always willing to listen and willing to help because I am one of those people. You are not alone.” 

While skiing is a part of Stein’s journey toward a happier place, talking through his emotions is another major component. In addition to reaching out to family, he has worked through his struggles in counseling. 

“Honestly, just having a place to word vomit was helpful,” he said. “Being able to verbally express your thoughts, they’re a lot more manageable when they’re out there, not just in your mind. Then, it’s about figuring out the root of those dark thoughts and feelings and learning to self-regulate.” 

One major solace he found was that mental health struggles are part of being human.

“Everyone really does struggle in one way or another,” he said. “… I remember one day looking out at my view from Wildernest … and thinking, ‘I wonder who else is feeling this way right now?’ I realized there are probably hundreds of people. I felt so much safer at that moment.”

When Stein first sought therapy, he knew he wanted to speak to a male professional. He discovered they were few and far between. This points to the stigma of mental health treatment, especially as it relates to ideas of traditional gender roles and how men cope with problems. 

“The majority of suicides are males. … That societal pressure to man up and deal with it is super deep,” Stein said. “Men suffer the consequences of not dealing with their mental health. It’s costing them their lives.”

Stein is often the first point of contact for Building Hope’s new clients. He guides them through the initial step of their mental health journeys, finding a therapist and making sure they understand they are not alone. 

“I wanted to help lead the charge and show that dealing with mental health is for everyone,” he said.

While Stein knows that the sun will shine, he views the journey of mental health as a lifelong climb up a mountain. There are highs and there are lows. 

“I still have bad days,” he said. “… There’s a lot of darkness out there, but you experience it and it makes those shining moments even brighter. There are low points and high points. … Most importantly, everybody is climbing the mountain. You are never alone.”

Editor’s note: Written by Shauna Farnell, a special projects writer for Building Hope Summit County.