“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
- Margaret Mead
Montana Behavioral Health Conference Recap
The 2026 Montana Behavioral Health Conference brought people from across the state to Bozeman for three days of learning, connection, and hope.
A few highlights:
One Mother’s Journey. Beth Ayers shared her family’s story of hope, love, forgiveness, and support.
Indigenous education for mental health with Dr. Adriann Buckles.
Research that listens. Alto Neuroscience asked attendees what “getting better” really means in daily life.
The art show, celebrating the creativity in our community.
Bingo night! Thank you to everyone who brought the laughs and good times.
Thank you to every attendee, speaker, exhibitor, sponsor, volunteer, and planning committee member who made it all happen.
We’re already looking forward to 2027!
How We Talk About Schizophrenia Matters
A new study in Social Science & Medicine asked a simple question: what kind of message does the most to reduce stigma toward schizophrenia?
Researchers showed 1,067 adults short videos that explained schizophrenia in different ways. Some focused only on biology and medication. Others described a wider range of causes and the many ways people are supported in recovery, through family, friends, peers, and community.
Messages that showed recovery happening in community did more to reduce stigma than a medication-only message. Learning about the range of causes also made people more willing to take action to help.
This was an early, exploratory study with participants in China, and more research is needed. Medical care is still an important part of treatment for many people.
The takeaway: recovery involves more than one thing, and how we talk about it can help reduce stigma. 💙
When Behavioral Health Services Close, Montanans Feel It
Benefis Health System in Great Falls plans to discontinue its outpatient counseling, psychiatry, and psychology services, in a process that begins on December 19.
Benefis pointed to financial pressure. A staff memo noted that 75% of its patients are covered by government programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. Patients will be referred to outside organizations such as the Center for Mental Health and Shodair Children’s Hospital.
For many Montanans, local behavioral health care is how they stay connected to treatment. That’s why NAMI Montana is bringing one clear message to pre-legislative conversations across the state:
If you’re a current Benefis behavioral health patient, talk with your care team about your transition plan.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988.
Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) Program Celebrates a Decade in Helena Schools
This fall marks 10 years of Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) in Helena schools. KTVH recently featured the program and the students it reaches.
YAM was developed in Sweden. Over three weeks, students work through real-life scenarios and role-plays, and they learn where to turn when they or a friend is struggling.
In a large study published in The Lancet in 2015, students in schools that received YAM reported significantly fewer new suicide attempts and cases of severe suicidal thoughts a year later.
“It’s unbelievable that we were able to bring a program featured in the Lancet to the Helena and Browning schools in fall of 2016.”
— Matt Kuntz, Executive Director, NAMI Montana
Today, YAM is taught at Helena High, Capital High, and East Helena High, and this year it comes to the Project for Alternative Learning (PAL) for the first time. NAMI Montana also received district approval this fall for a new supplementary mental health curriculum for health classes in the Helena and East Helena school districts.
“I’m hopeful that we will be able to do a similar news presentation a decade from now talking about this program and all of the students it has reached.”
— Matt Kuntz
NAMI Family & Friends Seminar | Virtual
NAMI Family & Friends is a free online seminar that informs and supports people who have loved ones with a mental health condition.
You’ll learn about diagnoses, treatment, recovery, communication strategies, crisis preparation, and NAMI resources.
Seminar leaders have personal experience with mental health conditions in their own families.
Resources & Ways to Connect
Whether you’re looking for support, searching for local mental health resources, or hoping to get more involved, NAMI Montana is here to help.
🫂 Find Support
Our free, confidential peer-led support groups connect Montanans with others who understand what they’re going through.
NAMI Family Support Group is for any adult with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.
NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group is for adults (18+) living with mental health conditions.
Contact your local affiliate before your first visit to confirm the location and any Zoom link.
📍 Find Resources Near You
Explore NAMI Montana’s free county resource guides for local crisis lines, providers, support options, and other mental health resources.
🖇️ Stay Connected
Follow NAMI Montana and your local affiliate on social media for resources, upcoming events, advocacy updates, and more.
📞 In Crisis?
If you or someone you know is in crisis or emotional distress, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.
Help Bring Support to Rural Montana
Thanks to a grant from Intermountain Healthcare, NAMI Montana is working to expand peer-led support groups into at least five new rural communities, giving more Montanans access to mental health support closer to home.
If you’d like to help start a NAMI support group in your community, we’d love to hear from you.
NAMI Montana can help you get started with facilitator training, resources, and connections to your nearest NAMI affiliate.
It only takes two people to start a NAMI support group.
If you live in a rural Montana community and have ever thought someone should start something like this here, we want to hear from you.
Contact us: colleen@namimt.org or 406-443-7871.
Support NAMI Montana
Your support helps keep programs, education, resources, and support groups free for Montanans who need them.
If you're in a position to give, or are thinking about your legacy, we'd be honored to be part of it.