April 2026 Newsletter

“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

Federal Legislation for Veterans' Brain Health Moves Forward

Many Montana veterans come home carrying wounds that don't show up on a scan. Repeated blast exposure during training and combat can cause microscopic brain damage that standard tests miss, leaving veterans without accurate diagnoses or effective treatment.

SB. 800, the Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2025, would direct the VA to partner with the National Academies of Sciences on a comprehensive 10-year study of how repetitive low-level blast injuries affect veterans' brain health and mental health. The bill has cleared the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, and a companion House bill was introduced just weeks ago.

This builds directly on the Hannon Precision Brain Health Initiative, landmark legislation NAMI Montana helped champion in 2020. SB. 800 is the next chapter. For a state with one of the largest veteran populations and highest suicide rates in the nation, it matters.

DPHHS’s Aging Horizons Featuring NAMI MT

Executive Director, Matt Kuntz, was recently featured on an episode of Aging Horizons. Thank you DPHHS and everyone at Aging Horizons for hosting us.

Free Support Groups

You are not alone. Our peer-led support groups are free, confidential, and designed for people living with mental health conditions and for family members supporting loved ones.

Connection can be powerful.

Volunteer Facilitator Training May 16 and 17 in Helena

While our April Volunteer Facilitator Training registration is closed, there’s still plenty of time to sign up for the May training.

Training: NAMI Family Support Group Facilitator

When: Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, 17thWhere: Helena, MT

For more information, please email Colleen Rahn at colleen@namimt.org or call 406-443-7871 for more information.

NAMI Family-to-Family Training

NAMI Montana is seeking trained volunteers with lived experience as family members of someone with a mental health condition to lead its 8-session Family-to-Family program. Volunteers help family members, partners, and friends of people living with mental health conditions find support, understanding, and tools for advocacy.

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group Training

The NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group is a peer-led space for adults living with mental health conditions. Facilitators help create a safe, supportive environment where participants can share openly, learn from one another, and be reminded that recovery is possible.

Changes to Medicaid Coming July 1, 2026

Montana has launched a new website to help residents understand upcoming Medicaid changes that take effect July 1. According to DPHHS, key updates include more frequent eligibility check-ins, new reporting and verification requirements, and a monthly community engagement requirement for many adults on Medicaid Expansion unless they qualify for an exemption.

For those ages 19 to 64 who are not exempt, that means 80 hours per month of approved activities such as work, school, job training, or volunteering. DPHHS is encouraging members to read their mail, keep contact information current, and report changes quickly to avoid interruptions in coverage. The new site also includes FAQs, application help, and next steps for current members.

Bringing Support to Rural Montana

Thanks to a grant from Intermountain Healthcare, NAMI Montana is actively working to expand peer-led support groups into at least five new rural communities, places where distance and limited providers have made connection harder to find.

Here's something worth knowing: it only takes two people to start a NAMI support group. Two people with lived experience, willing to show up for others. Once a group gets going, members can connect with their nearest NAMI affiliate for additional resources and support.

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 on our website or reach out to your closest local affiliate.

Resource Spotlight: Your County's Resource Guide

Finding mental health resources in Montana can feel overwhelming, especially in the middle of a hard moment. That's why NAMI Montana maintains a free resource guide for all 56 Montana counties, available on our website. Local crisis lines, providers, and support options, organized by where you live.

If you haven't checked your county's guide lately, or know someone who could use it, take a look.

A Bright Spot in Rural Montana: New Mental Health Program Opens in Lewistown

Central Montana Medical Center in Lewistown has launched a new Senior Life Solutions program to support older adults experiencing depression, anxiety, grief, and other mental health challenges tied to aging. The outpatient program offers group and individual therapy, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and teletherapy options for adults typically 65 and older.

Hospital leaders say the goal is to help older adults understand that depression is not simply a normal part of getting older and to provide accessible support in rural Montana communities. Referrals can come from healthcare providers, family members, or friends.

Stay Connected

Not ready to attend an event? That’s ok! Stay informed by following us and your local affiliates on social media and keeping an eye out for this monthly newsletter.

Support the Work

NAMI Montana's support groups, education programs, and resources are free to every Montanan who needs them because of donors like you. If you're in a position to give, or thinking about your legacy, we'd be honored to be part of it.