Psychiatrist Finds Improved Mental Health After Relocating from NYC to Rural Wyoming

After two decades of life and work in New York City, psychiatrist and author Dr. Daniel Amen relocated his family to Jackson, Wyoming, a move he credits with significantly improving his mental health and quality of life.

Previously based on the Upper West Side, Amen was entrenched in the city’s high-paced environment, balancing a private practice and academic work at Columbia University. Over time, the pressures of affordability and urban living led him to question whether remaining in the city was sustainable for his family. “I began craving a backyard for my kids,” he recalled.

Picturesque view of the mountains | Source: Pexels

Seven years after the move, Amen shared insights from his transition. He highlighted the profound sense of connection in a smaller community where “My kids play with my patients’ kids,” and described Jackson as a place that fosters openness around mental health despite statewide struggles with alcohol and depression.

Wyoming’s natural landscape and food culture also played a central role. Amen emphasized the benefits of local, mindful eating and outdoor activity, noting, “Nature has become my brain food.” Inspired by the region’s lifestyle, he ceased drinking alcohol, wrote his fifth book, 'Healing the Modern Brain', and deepened his involvement in local mental health initiatives.

New York, NY, United States | Source: Pexels

Though challenges remain, Amen said the experience has been transformative. “Mental fitness isn’t about escaping life’s complexities—it’s about learning to face them with resilience, grace and humor.”