Suicide Prevention in Montana: What You Can Do
Post Date: Aug 30, 2024
Behavioral Health
The state of Montana is often seen as idyllic from the outside, with beautiful mountain vistas, wide-open spaces and plenty of activities to be had outdoors. Many people dream of living here and wonder how someone could be unhappy in a place so beautiful. However, this isn’t the reality for many Montanans. According to the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, Montana’s suicide rate has ranked in the top five in the nation for the past 30 years.
This contrast illustrates the complex and undiscriminating nature of behavioral health conditions. Many interacting factors can place people at higher risk for suicidal ideation such as genetics and brain chemistry, race and ethnicity, education, other conditions such as alcoholism, and environmental factors such as weather and levels of sunlight.
If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. If you are in immediate crisis and need someone to talk to, reach out to the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling 988.
Community Health Partners is also here to help, with affordable behavioral health services and skilled professionals who can help you through hard times. Get in touch with a CHP clinic if you’re struggling with your mental health, and find out more about suicide prevention in Montana.
Risk Factors That Lead to a High Montana Suicide Rate
The state of Montana brings together the perfect storm of many risk factors, including:
A concentration of high-risk populations such as veterans, American Indians, and white men.
Vitamin D deficiency
Alcoholism
Social isolation in rural areas
Access to firearms
Young people are not exempt from this issue. From 2012 to 2020, the youth suicide rate in Montana (affecting ages 11-17) was more than double the national rate for the same age group.
Many of those who complete suicide suffer from mental illness, including major depression. However, depression is one of the most treatable of all conditions seen in primary care, especially in young people. In fact, there is an 80% treatment success rate by using a combination of antidepressants and therapy.
Community Health Partners is part of the fight to lower the suicide rate in Montana, approaching the issue at all sides from prevention to treatment through behavioral health services.
Suicide Prevention Efforts in Montana
On the prevention end, many risk factors can be addressed early on within families to reduce the chances of developing behavioral health disorders that may result in suicidal thoughts.
You can help reduce the risks in your own community by taking an active part in prevention.
Get emergency help if you or someone you know is at risk of harm. Call 911 or reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Learn the warning signs of suicide, and get professional help from a medical provider if you notice warning signs in yourself or your loved ones.
Use the resources in your community for support when you need it.
CHP and other organizations provide resources to improve and maintain the mental and physical health of children and their parents, contributing to suicide prevention in Montana.
Interested in learning more about suicide prevention? Check out this podcast episode.
Parents as Teachers and Parent Liaison Programs
Studies show that positive childhood experiences and strong relationships with a parent or guardian can greatly reduce the chances of behavioral health issues. To promote health and positive childhood experiences, CHP provides Parents as Teachers and Parent Liaison programs, which provide parents with counseling and support around raising their children and managing the challenges of parenthood.
LiveWell49 Resilience Project
CHP is also a partner in the LiveWell49 Resilience Project, a community-wide suicide prevention effort in Park County.
5210+ Program
CHP also partners with the 5210+ program in Gallatin County, which works to increase access to better health and nutrition. Access to better health overall can help contribute to suicide prevention in Montana.
Seek Help for Suicidal Thoughts
On the treatment front, CHP offers direct access to behavioral health resources including counselors and medical providers who can prescribe medications. At CHP, we know that mental health is an even greater concern at this time, with plenty of upheaval and difficulties in our communities. We encourage you to reach out to us at one of our clinics for virtual or in-person services if you are struggling.