Synergy in the Service Industry raised $6,306 at its Stand Up for Mental Health comedy show fundraiser Feb. 28 at A Church, supporting locals in the food and beverage industry with their mental health journeys.
The show included five local comedians and one nationally known comedian, Carmen Lagala, who flew in from New York City.
Cassie Stauch, Synergy’s director, noted the addition of their new Peer Recovery service offered this year through Sagebrush Recovery, in which certified peer recovery specialists who have lived experience with substance abuse can give support and counsel to those figuring out their journey. Staunch said their goal continues to be normalizing conversation around mental health.
Comedian Zakk Byers from Westcliffe said, “Mental health is important, and it’s important to have ways to get support. … If I can get people to laugh at me, that’s what I’m all about.”
Salida comedian Kit Rivers, who is also Synergy’s new board vice chair, said this is their largest fundraising event and explained the funds go toward helping their members, food and beverage workers in Chaffee County, to receive free mental health services.
Rivers said her most memorable job in the restaurant industry was when she worked at a dude ranch as a line cook in Montana, “and that came with a lot of trials and tribulations.”
This event, and Synergy’s cause, is about making mental health less scary, she said.