News

NAMI Montana strives to bring you news stories regarding severe mental illness on both the state, national, and international levels. The information and opinions expressed in these pages is provided for information purposes only ~ not as an endorsement by NAMI Montana. Please let us know if there is an article that we should post up on the site by emailing info@namimt.org.

Top Stories

Women-to-Women PTSD: Post Traumatic Support (Helena IR, 7-28-10) Diane Carlson Evans dream of a support group for email veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder comes to fruition.

Report Warns of 'Dysfunction' at Center for Mental Health Offices (GF Tribune, 7-27-10) The Mental Disabilities Board of Visitors, the state board charged with overseeing Montana's public mental health programs, found during a recent visit to the Center for Mental Health-Helena extensive medication errors, as well as a lack of leadership, training and planning.

ACLU Begins Case Against State Prison (Helena IR, 7-21-10) An 18-year-old Montana State Prison inmate who claims he has been treated inhumanely is asking a District Court judge to step in to keep him from returning to a solitary cell and other treatment he and his lawyers say is deplorable and scarring.

Local Experts on PTSD pleased with VA's New Regulation on Treatment (Helena IR, 7-19-10) NAMI Montana applauds the VA's new regulation which more adequately reflects the realities of PTSD.

Rule to Ease Veterans' Mental Health Claims Doesn't Go Far Enough, Groups Say (NY Times, 7-14-10) A new federal regulation that is intended to make it easier for veterans to receive disability benefits for PTSD is coming under fire from some of the advocates who had pushed for it.

V.A. is Easing Rules to Cover Stress Disorder (NY Times, 7-8-10) The government is preparing to issue new rules that will make it substantially easier for veterans who have been found to have PTSD to receive disability benefits, a change that could affect hundreds of thousands of veterans from the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam.

For Forgetful, Cash Helps the Medicine Go Down (NY Times, 6-13-10) Interesting article about a method of obtaining medication compliance through the use of financial incentives.

Healthy Rush: Combat-Weary Veterans Find Adrenaline Fix on the Water (Missoulian, 7-4-10) Missoula program, supported by NAMI MT, helps veterans reintegrate to civilian life through the use of extreme sports.

Mental Illness Group Gets $35,000 Gift (Helena IR, 6-30-10) The Montana chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness received a contribution of $35,000 from Mountain Plains Equity Group, Inc. The money will allow NAMI Montana to buy a software package that will help mental-health service providers track their clients’ progression in treatment and warn if their mental condition is deteriorating.

Legislative Budget Cut Ideas Meet Opposition (Helena IR, 6-15-10) Groups representing schools and teachers, human service providers and local governments expressed grave concerns Monday over some options identified as potential ways to help balance the projected $400 million budget shortfall in the 2011 Legislature.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners Provide Mental Health Services to Montanans (Great Falls Tribune, 6-15-10) Article discussing the critical role psychiatric nurses play in Montana's mental illness treatment system.

Helpful Guidance: New Drug Monitoring Plan Working, Pharmacists Say (Billings Gazette, 6-12-10) A prescription drug monitoring program proposed in the federal health care reform law is already in place at some Montana pharmacies, and it seems to be working.

Mill Levy for Mental Health Services OK'd (Billings Gazette, 6-8-10) Yellowstone County voters approved a mill levy that will funnel money to the crisis center and to the Hub, two programs that help keep people with mental illnesses and addictions out of jail and out of the hospital.

Silence - Silent Killer (KULR, 5-23-10) Lindsey Sheetz' coverage of Montana servicemembers' post traumatic stress injuries and ways to get help.

IR's Mental Health Series Wins SPJ Honors (Helena IR, 5-25-10) The Helena Independent Record won a prestigious award for their powerful series on mental illness. It's a well-deserved honor for a great paper.

Program a Good Step Towards Recovery (Helena IR, 5-19-10) A local group of tireless mental health advocates is embarking upon a sea change in the recovery of patients, and in the process, continues to lead the recovery effort in Montana.

Responsibility For Recovery (Helena IR, 5-13-2010) Article on Dr. Mark Ragin's speech in Helena about transitioning from a caretaking mental illness treatment system to a recovery system.

Why Laura's Law Has Had Limited Impact (San Francisco Chronicle, 5-12-2010) Examination of the reasons for the limited use of Advanced Outpatient Treatment in California.

More Mentally Ill are in Jails and Prisons Than Hospitals: A Survey of the States (May 2010) Troubling report from the Treatment Advocacy Center and the National Sheriff's Association.

Justice and Mental Illness: A Landmark Decision by the Montana Supreme Court (Montana Lawyer, May 2010) Matt Kuntz's breakdown of the complications that serious mental illnesses create for the legal system and thanks for powerful decision by Montana Supreme Court.

Treatment Works (5-7-10) NAMI Montana's powerful new public service announcement that will be broadcast across the state in May and June. NAMI Montana would like to thank Curt Chisholm, Cellular One, Bresnan, Video Express, and Sandra Mihelish for all of the help and support in making this PSA possible.

Drug Settlement Money Moving Forward (Helena IR, 5-4-10) Justice Warner names the seven members of Montana Mental Health Trust's advisory board. NAMI Montana's former president, Gary Mihelish, is on the board. Check out Trust's website here.

Living With the Moment (Helena IR, 5-4-10) Mari Antcliff's struggles with Schizophrenia to be featured on Discovery Health documentary. NAMI Montana would like to congratulate the whole Franklin family for their courage in working on this great project.

Inmate Claims He's Denied Needed Meds (Billings Gazette, 5-3-10) James Wayne Watson filed a complaint alleging that the Yellowstone County Detention Facility and the Crossroads Correctional Facility in Shelby have discriminated against him by denying him medications that are needed to treat disabling health problems.

NAMI Montana's Presentation on Mental Illness and the Workplace (5-3-10) Matt Kuntz and Quentin Schroeter's presentation to the Montana affiliate of the Society on Human Resource Management.

Huge Decision on Mental Illness Treatment (4-14-10) The Montana Supreme Court just released a major decision clarifying Montana's commitment laws. NAMI Montana would like to thank the Montana Supreme Court, Attorney General Bullock's office, and Lewis Smith the Powell County Attorney for their leadership on this very challenging issue.

Yellowstone County to Run Mental Health Levy (GF Tribune, 3-24-10) Yellowstone County commissioners have decided to ask voters to support a permanent mill levy for mental health services. Commissioners voted Tuesday to put the levy on the June primary ballot after hearing testimony from police officers, doctors, clergy, business executives, elected officials and families who have dealt with mental illness.

New West Health Services Mental Illness Coverage Changes This report from New West addresses how they are changing their coverage to apply with Federal parity law and Montana's new law on autism.

Doctor Visits Lead to Legal Help With Day-to-Day Problems (NY Times, 3-24-10) Great program where doctors make legal referrals for issues that arise during patient visits. Great example of treating the whole person.

Update on What the Healthcare Legislation Means for NAMI Consumers and Families (NAMI National, 3-23-10) Andrew Sperling from NAMI National wrote this nonpartisan update on what Healthcare Reform means for people living with mental illness.

House Approves Mental Health Overhaul, Sending Landmark Bill to Obama (NY Times, 3-22-10) Congress gave final approval to legislation that would provide medical coverage to tens of millions of Americans and remake the U.S. health care system along the lines proposed by the president.

For Consumers, Some Clarity on Health Changes (NY Times, 3-22-10) The uninsured are the biggest beneficiaries of the bill, which would extend coverage for low-income Montanans.

Taking a New Approach (Helena IR, 3-7-10) Article about the great working being done at the Billings' mental health court.

Panel: Cut Less from DPHHS if Funds Available (Helena IR, 3-6-10) A bipartisan legislative panel Friday urged Gov. Brian Schweitzer to consider reducing proposed cuts to human services programs if the state receives extra federal money. Their letter was sent to the governor in response to Budget Director David Ewer’s proposed $40.5 million in general fund budget cuts because of declining state tax collections.

DPHHS Cut Proposals Too Deep (Helena IR, 3-5-10) As Gov. Brian Schweitzer prepares to slice state spending, a chorus of citizens and lobbyists asked a legislative panel Thursday to recommend against cutting human services, which they said are being asked to bear an unfair share of the reductions.

Mental Health Trust Will Start Giving Out Money Later This Year, Trustee Says (Helena IR, 3-2-10) Former state Supreme Court Justice John Warner, who’s now in charge of a $9.5 million fund for mental-health programs, said Monday he hopes to appoint an advisory committee soon that will help him decide how to spend the money.

NAMI Testifies At Senate Veterans Hearing (PR Newswire, 3-2-10) Vietnam era combat pilot and national board member of NAMI, Clarence Jordan, testified at a Senate hearing today calling for better outreach and coordination of mental health care by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

A Decade For Psychiatric Disorders (Nature, January 2010) Editorial describing the need for a research revolution for serious mental illnesses.

Montana Mental Health Court Shows Early Successes (GF Tribune, 3-1-10) Officials say a new adult mental health court in Billings is showing some modest successes in its first year.

Soon, Troubled Vets Won't Have to Leave to Get Help (GF Tribune, 2-28-10) GF Tribune's Op-Ed praising Fort Harrison's new behavioral health center.

Settlement Nets $9.5 M Fund for Mentally Ill (Helena IR, 2-26-10) Montana’s mental health community was given a multimillion-dollar boost Wednesday through a settlement agreement between the state and pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly over the marketing and sale of the antipsychotic drug Zyprexa. Watch video of the announcement here.

Cutting Mental Health Budget Adds to Prison Problems (GF Tribune, 2-26-10) GF Tribune's Op-Ed about the relationship between the mental illness treatment budget and the prison system.

Bullock, Community Leaders Announce Creation of Montana Mental Health Trust (AG's Press Release, 2-25-10) Joined by leaders from the mental health and law enforcement communities, Attorney General Steve Bullock announced Thursday that he has settled a lawsuit with a major pharmaceutical company that will provide millions of dollars for mental health services and programs in the State of Montana. The Trust, which will receive over $9.5 million from the settlement, can fund both private and public entities.

Schools Aim to Help Troubled Kids (Helena IR, 2-25-10) A group of community members, school officials, and concerned parents spent Wednesday identifying barriers to various social services available in Helena, and they began to develop a plan to streamline those services.

Bozeman's Newest Mental Health Facility Opens Next Week (Bozeman Daily Chronicle, 2-24-10) A large crowd of public officials, mental-health workers and mental-health clients gathered under the vaulted, heavy-beamed ceiling of Bozeman's newest mental-health facility Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the opening of the Hope House and the Dorothy Eck House. NAMI Bozeman's Tom Peluso was specially recognized for his efforts to bring these facilities to life.

Mental Health Advocates Hope Crisis Programs Survive Cuts (Helena IR, 2-21-10) As Gov. Brian Schweitzer prepares to chop $40 million from the state budget, mental-health advocates are hoping at least part of a new initiative survives: Funding local crisis centers, to prevent patients from being sent unnecessarily to the State Hospital.

State Now Projecting A Budget Surplus in 2011 (Helena IR, 2-19-10) Amid the current budget-cutting pessimism facing state government, some rays of optimism emerged for the next fiscal year from both Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s budget director and the Legislature’s chief revenue forecaster.

Healthy Kids Glitch Forces Some to Go Without Medications (Helena IR, 2-19-10) Bozeman doctors say some Montana families are being forced to go without prescribed drugs for their children because of a glitch in the state’s children’s health insurance plan.

Lawmakers Seek Input on Health Department Cuts (GF Tribune, 2-18-10) Senator Dave Lewis and Representative Mary Caferro are holding a meeting on Monday to seek input from the public on proposed cuts in programs and services provided by the state health department. You can send them your comments at the following website- http://tinyurl.com/yzjbpxr.

ACLU Seeks U.N.'s Help With Deer Lodge Inmate (GF Tribune, 2-18-10) Claiming violations of international civil rights protections, the American Civil Liberties Union asked the United Nations on Wednesday to intervene on behalf of a mentally ill young man locked in a prison isolation cell at Deer Lodge.

Baucus Says Healthcare Reform is a Must But Gives No Details on How (Helena IR, 2-18-10) Sen. Max Baucus told a Helena audience Wednesday that he still believes Congress can and should pass a health-reform bill, but offered no details of what a compromise measure might include.

VA Breaks Ground On New Care Facility (Helena IR, 2-17-10) Gripping golden shovels, a team of health care providers broke ground Tuesday on a $6.7 million facility that will allow veterans to receive long-term mental health care without having to leave Montana.

Montana's Finances Look Rosier with Cuts (Helena IR, 2-17-10) Gov. Brian Schweitzer said Tuesday the state’s cloudy future financial picture will brighten up through a combination of proposed and already-announced spending cuts and extra money from the federal government.

Governor Would Trim $40 Million from State Budget (GF Tribune, 2-16-10) Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s chief budget officer on Tuesday submitted his recommendations for trimming the state’s general fund in an effort to maintain a positive ending fund balance. The proposal includes more than more than $40 million in cuts to 23 state agencies.

Revising Book on Disorders of the Mind (NY Times, 2-10-10) Articles describing potential changes to psychiatry's guidebook.

Analysis: State to be in the Red by '11 (Helena IR, 2-9-10) The Legislature’s chief revenue forecaster, Terry Johnson, projected that the state would face a $62.5 million general-fund budget deficit by June 30, 2011, as tax collections continue to fall.

VA Announces New Healthcare System Director (Helena IR, 2-9-10) The VA Montana Healthcare System today announced the appointment of a new director, replacing former director Joe Underkofler, who retired in October after 37 years with the VA. Robin Korogi, a Desert Storm veteran, will oversee the Montana VA and its 1,000 employees.

McGrath Pitches Ballot Initiative (Helena IR, 2-9-10) The state's Supreme Court chief justice is advocating a new ballot measure that would use alcohol tax money for prevention and treatment efforts.

Obama Plans Bipartisan Summit on Healthcare (NY Times, 2-8-10) The meeting would mark the first time in the long health care debate that leaders from both sides would be allowed to air their ideas publicly.

Compassionate Mental Health Care is Vitally Needed (Great Falls Tribune, 2-8-10) Dr. Gary Mihelish's pointed commentary on the disconnect between the State and service providers on the mental illness treatment budget and how that public disagreement harms consumers with mental illnesses.

Extra Money for Science in Obama's Budget (NY Times, 2-1-10) Calming fears that scientific research would be hurt by the Obama administration, the budget request for the Department of Health and Human Services was $81.3 billion, up from $79.6 billion a year ago. And the National Institutes of Health saw its budget request rise by $1 billion, to $32 billion, more than was requested last year.

Suicide's Aftermath (MT Standard, 2-2-10) Third part of the Standard's examination of Montana's suicide epidemic.

Suicide: Montana Crying for Help (MT Standard, 1-31-10) Second part in Montana Standard's series examining Montana's suicide epidemic.

Those Left Behind: Brother's Suicide Leaves Unanswered Questions (MT Standard,1-31-10) the first of a three-day series exploring the issue of suicide in Montana. It is hoped that this series will spur those in need of help to seek that help.

Drop-in Centers Provide Stop-Gap, Support to Patients with Mental Illnesses (Bozeman Chronicle, 1-30-10) Chronicle article highlights drop-in centers, a cost-effective and innovative tool in the battle against mental illness.

Cases - in a Psychiatric War, Trying to Help the Most Vulnerable (NY times, 2-1-10) Story of a psychiatric nurse working with a woman who was involuntarily committed while wandering the streets of Portland was reunited with her family and began the process of recovering from her mental illness. It's important to note that this heartwarming case likely could not have happened in Montana due to our antiquated "imminent dangerousness" commitment standard.

Major Proposed Cuts (1-30-10) The Department of Public Health and Human Services proposed eliminating fiscal year 2011 provider rate increases for disability services, children’s mental health, senior and long term care, adult mental health and other programs. This amounts to a cut of $7 million.

Mental Health Funding Not Cut (Helena IR, 1-29-10) DPHHS's Director's Op-Ed on the status of Montana's spending on mental illnesses.

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished (Helena IR, 1-24-10) Matt Kuntz's Op-Ed thanking Senator Baucus for working for Montana's families affected by serious mental illness.

Baucus, Tester Offer No Road Map on Health Reform (Helena IR, 1-21-10) The day after Republicans torpedoed national Democrats’ health-reform plans by winning the Massachusetts Senate race, Montana’s two Democratic U.S. senators had no clear plan for moving forward on the issue — although they said reform still needs to be tackled.

Obama Weighs Paring Goals for Healthcare Bill (NY Times, 1-21-10) President Obama might be willing to scale back his proposed health care overhaul to a version that could attract bipartisan support.

Biomarker for PTSD Discovered (Psych Central News, 1-21-10) University of Minnesota and Minneapolis VA Medical Center scientists were able to objectively diagnose PTSD using magnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive measurement of magnetic fields in the brain.

Don't Cut Mental Health Services (Helena IR, 1-20-10) Independent Record's powerful editorial asking the Governor not to cut mental health services.

Army Wives Battle with Their Own Mental Health (NPR website, 1-20-10) Article about how deployments can affect the mental health of the family members of deployed soldiers.

Law Brings Addiction, Mental Care Into Parity (Billings Gazette, 1-17-10) Mental-health care for thousands of Montanans covered by group health insurance plans will be more affordable in 2010 thanks to a new federal law.

Baucus Shows Support of Mental Health (Billings Gazette, 1-16-10) NAMI Montana's Op-Ed thanking Senator Baucus for fighting to care for Montanans with serious mental illness.

U.S. Sees Increase in Suicide Rate Among Young Veterans (AP, 1-12-09) This is sad, but predictable news for 2005-2007. The good news is that treatment lowered the suicide rate.

Study: Youth Now Have More Mental Health Issues (Helena IR, 1-11-10) A new study has found that five times as many high school and college students are dealing with anxiety and other mental health issues as youth of the same age who were studied in the Great Depression era.

We're Not Going Anywhere (Helena IR, 1-9-10) Day Treatment will continue in Helena despite budget cuts.

Mentally Ill Face Big Cuts In Services (Billings Gazette, 1-9-10) Services that help more than 500 mentally ill people in central Montana live independently have been slashed by 80 percent, and a 30-year-old day program in Billings could be eliminated altogether.

DPHHS Hires New State Hospital Administrator (DPHHS News Release) John Glueckert is hired as Montana State Hospital Administrator at Warm Springs.

Park County Inmate Death Ruled a Suicide (Bozeman Chronicle, 1-8-10) A seven-person jury of a coroner's inquest has determined that the July death of a Park County Detention Center inmate was suicide.

Mental Health Centers May Face Closure (GF Tribune, 1-8-10) State of Montana cuts funding for day treatment programs.

Budget Surplus Nearing Red Ink (Helena IR, 1-7-10) Montana's budget surplus dwindles and the Governor asks state agencies to cut 5% of their budget.

Advocates Seek Shelter for Homeless Families (Helena IR, 1-7-10) Article on the lack of emergency housing for homeless families in Helena.

Juvenile Injustice (NY Times, 1-6-10) Editorial arguing that New York should abandon its prison-style juvenile facilities and shift resources and children to therapeutic programs located in their communities. Article is pertinent to the current discussion of how to care for Montana's children with serious mental illness who are involved with the justice system.

Drugs May Aid Only Severe Depression, Analysts Say (NY Times, 1-6-10) Study backs up NAMI's point that people who do not have serious depression should not be medically treated as if they have clinical depression.

Compassion During Crisis (Helena IR, 1-4-10) Article highlighting Travis Emery's stellar work at the Hannaford House, a group home for people with serious debilitating mental illness.

Governor Stops Renovation at Warm Springs (Helena IR, 12-23-09). Governor stops renovation of receiving hospital to trim $4.5 million from the state's budget.

Governor Cuts Spending at State Hospital (Helena IR, 12-22-09) This could be an ominous sign of things to come.

ACLU: Juvenile Subjected to Tortuous Treatment at Montana State Prison (Missoulian, 12-17-09) Juvenile inmate with mental illness allegedly tortured at state prison as part of a behavior modification program.

Polson Man Who Kills Mother Hangs Himself in Prison (Missoulian, 12-15-09) Tragedy on top of tragedy. A clear indication of the need to reform Montana's system of treating mental illness.

18 and Under - Asking the Hard Questions After a Child's Cry for Help (New York Times, 12-7-2009) Article on how to react when a teenager shows signs of suicidality.

State Foresees Grim Budget Figures (Helena IR, 12/04/09) The State's challenging budget situation is going to make us fight hard to protect funding for mental illness treatment.

Mental Health Social Network - check out the new mental health social network.

American Indians Stand to Gain from Healthcare Overhaul (NY Times, 12/02/09) Article about how healthcare reform could help address major tribal health issues.

Predicting PTSD: Military Testing for Susceptibility to Mental Wounds (Associate Press, 11/24/09) Military is conducting in-depth tests to try and find which service members are biologically susceptible to post traumatic stress injuries.

Expansion of Medical Program Proposed (Billings Gazette, 11/17/09) Montana State is trying to expand their medical education program to train more physicians and keep those physicians in Montana for more of their training. This is a proposed answer to our state's physician shortage.

Patient Money - How to Find Mental Healthcare When Money is Tight (NY Times, 11/21/09) This informative article targets overall mental health wellness, rather than treatment for serious mental illnesses.

Senate Bill Gives Relief to Rural Vets (Helena IR, 11/20/09) Senator Tester's rural veterans' healthcare bill moves through the Senate.

Federal Legislation Provides Mandatory Mental Health Screenings for Returning Soldiers (Bozeman Daily Chronicle, 11/10/09) Article examines Montana's programs for caring for our returning servicemembers and the federal legislation that is bringing those programs nationwide.

Making Healthcare Better (NY Times, 11/3/09) An in-depth examination of the movement towards Evidence-Based Practices in medicine.

Celebrating Imperfections (Helena IR, 10/31/09) The Shut Up Sisters regaled a standing-room-only crowd at the State Conference On Mental Illness with stories of raising children with mental illnesses in a world that demands perfection.

Baucus' Life Saving Legislation for Troops Becomes Law (10/28/09) Senator's new requirements are a major step forward in the fight to care for our returning heroes post traumatic stress injuries.

State's PTSD Program Going National (Great Falls Tribune, 10/28/09) President Obama signs PTSD screening bill into law.

Letter to Senator Grassley (10/19/09) NAMI Montana's response to Senator Grassley's request for information regarding our donations from pharmaceutical companies.

Great Strides (Helena IR, 9/28/09) Helena IR article about NAMI Montana's incredible 2009 Walk.

Can Walk Put Mentally Ill on Equal Footing? (Helena IR, 9/20/09) Op-Ed piece from acclaimed author and signature Walker at this Year's 2009 NAMIWalk about the importance of the Walk..

Letter of Support from Bipartisan Group of Senators for SB 711, Montanans should be very proud Senator Max Baucus and Senator Jon Tester. Their signature are at the top of a letter from a major group of bipartisan Senators in support of intensive mental health screenings for all returning service members.

Kudos on IR Series (Helena IR, 9/15/09) Letter to editor from Kim Warner that highlights services provided by the Center for Mental Health's Care House and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses.

Kalispell Health Center Treats Patients with Help From Stimulus Money (Missoulian, 9/14/09) Stimulus provides critical money for mental illness treatment in Kalispell.

Continue Push to Prevent Suicides (Missoulian, 9/11/09) article about NAMI Montana and efforts to prevent suicides in Montana.

Baucus 'Totally Confident' Health Care Reform Will Pass (GF Tribune, 9/11/09), article about health care reform process

Homeless Housing For Vets Proposed (Helena IR, 9/09/09) article about potential new short-term housing for homeless veterans.

Few Surprises in Baucus' Health Care Reform Proposals (Helena IR, 9/09/09) article about healthcare reform.

The Military Coalition Endorses NAMI MT's PTSD Screening Bill - a coalition of veterans and service organizations with more than 5.5 million current and former service members formally endorses Senate Bill 711.

Baucus Cracks Door On Healthcare Reform (Helena IR, 9/02/09) article about healthcare reform.

Baucus Addresses Costs, Other Concerns with AARP Members (Helena IR, 9/02/09) article about healthcare reform.

Our Place Offers Comfort Outside of Crisis (Helena IR, 8/23/09) article about Helena drop-in center.

State Has Made Strides in Mental Health, Corrections (Helena IR, 8/23/09) Op-Ed by Mike Ferriter and Anna Whiting-Sorrell.

State Needs Proactive Care, Not Prison Beds (8/19/09) editorial by Helena IR

Mental Health Laws Need Fixing (8/20/09) Op-Ed in Helena IR by Jim Pavle and Aileen Kroll of the Treatment Advocacy Center.

Crisis Intervention video from the Helena IR's Continuum of Care series.

Criminalizing a Crisis (7/26/09) The door etched with illegible words slams shut. A jailer clicks shut the padlock.
A woman in an altered state of mind is in the next cell, groaning. It sounds like she’s banging her head against the wall. She’s waiting for her attorney.

Pulling the Trigger is No Easy Way Out (7/26/09) At 3:14 a.m. on a snowy January morning last year, a police dispatcher received a call from a Boulder man wielding a 12-gauge shotgun in front of his home.

Crisis System or System in Crisis (7/26/09) Once every 14 hours on average, 632 times in the one-year period from July 1, 2007, to June 31, 2008, someone in Montana was involuntarily transported to the Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs.

Difficulty in Diagnosis (7/19/09) As difficult as it is for adults to cope with a mental illness, the obstacles are multiplied when diagnosing and treating children, especially in a large, rural and sparsely populated state like Montana.

Mental Illnesses Change as Adolescents Evolve (7/19/09) Four-year-old Jake Power’s eyes are big and bright as he makes his way around the playground at Helena’s Memorial Park on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

Youth Services video from the Helena IR's Continuum of Care series.

Survivors' Stories video from the Helena IR's Continuum of Care series.

Into the Darkness (July 12, 2009) Helena IR article about Montana State Hospital.

Manic Man in the Promised Land (July 12, 2009) Helena IR article about Helena man who lives with Bipolar Disorder.

Mother Hangs on While Daughter Falls (July 12, 2009) Helena IR article about family struggling with daughter's mental illness.

A Portrait of Warm Springs (July 12, 2009) video from the Helena IR's Continuum of Care series.

Picking Up the Pieces (July 5, 2009) Helena IR article about mental illness in Montana and kicking off its in-depth analysis of the topic.

Delivering Hope for Mental Illness (July 5, 2009) Helena IR editorial about it's in-depth analysis of mental illness in Montana and our system of care for those struck by mental illness.

Righting a Life Hijacked by Schizophrenia (July 5, 2009) Helena IR article about one man's battle with schizophrenia and his journey towards recovery.

Personal Tragedy Drives One Man's Crusade (July 5, 2009) Helena IR article about Curt Chisholm's courageous fight reinvent Montana's system of caring for its citizens with severe mental illness.

"Picking Up the Pieces" Video in the Helena IR's "Continuum of Care Series. (July 5, 2009)

Check out the trailer for Helena IR's "Continuum of Care" Series about mental health care in Montana. The series itself will begin on July 5th in the Independent Record.

"People" lists Kuntz as one of its "All-Stars Among Us" (July 1, 2009) People Magazine named NAMI Montana's Executive Director as one of its "All Stars Among Us."

Montana National Guard's PTSD Program Going National (June 27, 2009) This is a major victory for our service members, veterans, and families affected by combat post traumatic stress injuries. Thank you all for your support in this fight.

Cheryl Eamon: Healing Through Art Great article about Cheryl Eamon and her rehabilitation services for patients at the Montana State Hospital.

Talk Radio News: Senators Try to Heal Veterans' "Invisible Wounds" (June 17, 2009) Senators Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Mike Johanns (R-Nev.), and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) hosted a discussion on the prevention of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and suicide in returning veterans, often referred to as “invisible wounds.”

Billings Gazette: Speed Needed to Resolve Center's Funding Crisis (June 8, 2009) Billings Gazette editorial asking that DPHHS write the crisis bills' rules as soon as possible to get funding moving to Billings' Community Crisis Center.

Billings Gazette: Focus on Community Needs in New Mental Health Program (June 7, 2009) Billings Gazette editorial recommending that the funds from the crisis bills be focused on community crisis beds, not other crisis services.

New York Times: Intolerable Rise in Soldier Suicides (June 8, 2009) Editorial asking Congress to address the military suicide problem through screening and other measures.

Inside Lineman's Helmet, Doubts and Depression
(5-14-2009) Shawn Andrews of the Philadelphia Eagles opens up to the New York Times about his struggles with depression.

Matt Kuntz's Montana Public Radio Op-Ed on PTSD Screening Legislation (5-8-2009)

Montana Senate Backs GOP's Version of Budget
(4-10-2009) Good news and bad news. $3.1 million dollars is included to fund crisis services, but DPHHS's budget will be cut.

Mental Illness No Crime
(4-10-2009)
Letter to the Editor regarding criminalization and eventual suicide of man suffering from severe mental illness.

Legislation Aims to Improve Veterans' Mental Health Services
(3-31-2009)
Senator Max Baucus released legislation that would require stepped-up mental health screenings for all of America's combat troops.

Flood of Support for Mental Health
(3-27-2009)
Rhonda Champagne's letter of thanks to the community for everyone's support during their recent flood.

Draft County Resource Guides - Please review our draft county resource guides and send back recommended changes to info@namimt.org.