In 2021, Wyoming hit new highs for drug overdoses and suicides. Health data released in October shows that 108 Wyoming residents died from drug overdoses last year, the highest number reported since 2012. Meanwhile, Wyoming’s suicide rate also reached a record high with 189 suicides—or 32.8 suicides per 100,000 individuals, which is more than double the nationwide rate of 13.5 suicides per 100,000 people.

The "average" 12-year-old at St. Joseph’s Children's Home, a psychiatric residential treatment facility in Torrington, has already lived in five out-of-home placements, ranging from foster care to jail. All patients are severely and emotionally disturbed boys and girls, ranging in age from six to 12, who have survived abuse and trauma. Many of their parents are dead or in prison. When the children arrive at St. Joseph’s, all avenues have been exhausted. Currently, there are 29 patients at St. Joseph’s (17 boys and 12 girls) and a waitlist of 18, with five children expected to be admitted this week.

Just three months after Chad Auer became Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction, the nation was rocked by another school shooting—this time in Uvalde, Texas.