Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/513510
The Advocate CHRISTINA ING Two years ago, Christina King dropped everything and moved from Philadelphia to Aspen. A licensed professional counselor, she came with the goal of creating a network of mental health agencies and professionals, and making them easily accessible to anyone in need. "I had been coming to Aspen for 15 years to ski. [During that time,] I realized that mental health needs here were not being met," she shares. "It's not only about addiction and suicide, which are the biggest issues in this community. It's about asking yourself, How am I today? Do I have anxiety or depression?— and about being honest with yourself. In Philadelphia, I was just another therapist. In Aspen, I can make a difference." Today, the nonprofit Aspen Strong Foundation—which King, 32, founded and launched with Hike. Hope. Heal., a highly successful, and now annual, hiking event up Smuggler Mountain—lends guidance and support to people of all ages in Pitkin County, where the suicide rate is nearly three times the national average. In addition to an affiliation with the All Valley Mental Health Professionals Group, King raises awareness and acquires help via aspenstrong.org. "It's a safe place for people to look at therapists, recog- nize certain behaviors, find support groups and crisis centers, or just say, 'Yeah, maybe I should talk to someone,'" she notes. The website also acts as a fundraising center, on which King is highly focused. "When I'm biking or hiking with my dog, I get in my head and dream for the future," she says. "Raising money to get the word out [in support of mental health] is vital. I love being an advocate. I'm destined to do that for my foundation." —L.H. OPPOSITE PAGE: Jacket, Ermanno Scervino ($5,482). Mario Di Leone, 301 E. Hopkins Ave., 970-925-2740; mariodi leone.com. Pants, Lamarque ($800). O2 Aspen, 605 E. Cooper Ave., 970-925-3161; o2 aspen.com. Kempner slide mules, Tory Burch ($395). Nordstrom, Cherry Creek Shopping Center, Denver, 720-746-2424; nordstrom.com. Jewelry, Gottlieb's own THIS PAGE: Light Ottoman textured knit belted dress, Maison Ullens ($1,265). 445 E. Hopkins Ave., 970-429-4170; maison ullens.com. Jewelry, King's own