How Thrive is supporting Park City students’ mental health this winter

Registration for children's mental wellness program THRIVE is open. Photo: Live Like Sam

“Every day, I think of three things I’m grateful for,” she said. “It shifts my mindset. We focus on the negative so often, but reflecting on the positives can really change your day.”

PARK CITY, Utah — Registration is now open for the Thrive Winter Session, a free mental wellness program designed for students in grades 6 through 12. Hosted by the Live Like Sam Foundation in partnership with WeBeWell, the program runs from Feb. 10 through April 4, 2025. The deadline to register is end of day on Feb. 6.

Thrive provides young people with tools to manage stress, build healthy relationships, and establish positive habits. Developed and implemented by WeBeWell, the program uses an evidence-based curriculum rooted in positive and clinical psychology. Studies on the curriculum have shown reduced anxiety, stress, and depression, as well as improved attention, memory, and overall well-being.

For Olivia Goldberg, a high school senior who participated in Thrive as a sophomore, the program was transformative.

“I had really bad anxiety and didn’t know how to cope with it,” Goldberg said. “Even though I was in therapy at the time, I still didn’t fully understand what I was going through. Thrive helped me learn different ways to manage my anxiety—through journaling, deep breathing, and focusing on the present instead of worrying about the future.”

Goldberg described the program as a safe space where students could share their experiences without pressure.

“At first, I was nervous to open up, but the facilitators made it really comfortable,” she said. “They shared their own experiences, which encouraged us to do the same. I realized that by sharing, I could not only help myself but also help others.”

One of the program’s most impactful lessons for Goldberg was gratitude.

“Every day, I think of three things I’m grateful for,” she said. “It shifts my mindset. We focus on the negative so often, but reflecting on the positives can really change your day.”

The importance of Thrive extends beyond individual experiences, according to Cristie Frey, clinical director for the Huntsman Mental Health Institute’s Park City Behavioral Health Clinic and a board member of the Live Like Sam Foundation.

“We were seeing a lot of kids in our school-based program who didn’t necessarily need therapy but needed guidance in coping with stress and everyday challenges,” Frey said. “Thrive filled that gap. It provides critical life skills—goal setting, stress management, building relationships, and understanding well-being.”

Frey emphasized the accessibility of the program, which is free and offers both online and in-person sessions.

“There’s no other peer-based, skill-based wellness program like this in our community,” she said. “It’s not just for kids who are struggling. It’s for any student who wants to build resilience and prepare for life’s challenges.”

Thrive’s peer-based model also plays a significant role in its success.

“Unlike therapy, which is one-on-one with an adult, Thrive allows students to connect with others their age who are facing similar challenges,” Frey said. “That sense of community and mutual support is powerful.”

Goldberg encourages other students to take the leap and enroll.

“It can feel intimidating at first, but it’s worth it,” she said. “Even if you don’t think you need it, Thrive will help you develop skills that will benefit you for life.”

After the Winter Session, additional programs will be offered throughout the year. For more information or to register, visit the Live Like Sam Foundation website or email programs@livelikesam.org.