Mental & Behavioral Health Services

So many factors impact our mental health. But being able to afford mental and behavioral health services might be a huge barrier for those who need it most. Montana has one of the highest suicide rates in the nation (enter citation from NAMI). From substance use disorder treatment to behavioral care for adolescents, prioritizing mental health for everyone improves quality of life. Mental health is just as important as our physical health.

Mental & Behavioral Health Services DOH Areas of Focus

Lack of access to affordable, safe and appropriate housing can create undue emotional stress.For example, if someone cannot afford their housing payments, their housing does not nether physical needs, or has structural issues, that environment impacts other areas of their life. Combined with insufficient access to mental and behavioral health services, this can increase mental and behavioral health issues.

There are areas in Montana where access to mental and behavioral health professionals is non-existent. According to NAMI Montana, over half of the state lives in a community that does not have enough mental health practitioners. Almost half of Montanans who were not able to receive needed mental health care did not do so because of the cost.

Mental Health Montana State Fact Sheet

According to NAMI Montana, teens with depression are twice as likely to drop out of school.Over half of teens with depression did not receive any mental or behavioral health care in the last year. Children and teens who are facing these issues could face higher absences from school and impact their learning process.

There is still a strong stigma against those who experience adverse mental and behavioral health and those who seek treatment. In order to make sure that people are receiving trauma-informed care that matches their cultural and social needs, increasing access to reliable internet and Bluetooth for rural areas expands not only access to services but our outlook on how we discuss mental and behavior health in our society.

When we aren't feeling our best, it can be difficult to work. When we can't work, feeding ourselves and paying the bills turns into an additional stress. These compounding factors have a negative impact our on mental health. A large barrier to mental and behavioral health assistance is the cost and being able to take time away from work or school.

Mental & Behavioral Health Services Resources