August 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
NAMIWalks | September 2026
September is just around the corner, and we’re gearing up for our annual NAMIWalks event!
The event is a 5K walk bringing together families, advocates, supporters, and community members to raise awareness and support for mental health across Montana.
Location: Memorial Park | 1203 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT 59601
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
Time: Registration opens at 11 AM | Opening ceremony begins at 12:30 PM
Cost: Free
How to Get Involved: Join or form a team, fundraise, donate, or walk! Any way you choose to participate helps strengthen NAMI Montana’s life-changing programs, education, and support services.
Montana Behavioral Health Conference |
October 2026
We have another exciting event coming up this fall: the 2026 Behavioral Health Conference.
NAMI Montana is partnering with DPHHS for this three-day event, bringing together the latest behavioral health research, educational sessions, and meaningful opportunities for people impacted by mental health conditions to connect, learn, and share their experiences.
Location: Best Western Plus GranTree Inn | 1325 N 7th Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715
Dates: Wednesday, October 21 to Friday, October 23, 2026
Cost: $160 | General Admission Ticket for all three days
Take Action:
Help Protect Medicaid Coverage for Montanans
Last month, NAMI Montana submitted a letter and proposal to state lawmakers urging DPHHS to take a data-first approach to Montana’s new Medicaid community engagement requirement.
The goal is simple: before asking people to submit additional paperwork, the state should first use existing wage and benefit data to determine whether they already meet the requirement or qualify for an exclusion.
This approach could help prevent eligible Montanans, particularly those living with serious mental health conditions, from losing Medicaid coverage because of missed notices, paperwork barriers, or other administrative burdens.
Now, we need your voice. Please contact Governor Greg Gianforte's office and ask him to support this data-first approach.
Call the Governor's Office: 855-318-1330 (toll free) or (406) 444-3111
Calling is encouraged whenever possible.
Email: governor@mt.gov
Not sure what to say? Here's a simple script:
Hi, my name is [NAME], and I'm a Montana resident. I'm calling to ask Governor Gianforte to support NAMI Montana's proposal for a data-first approach to Medicaid community engagement verification. Please encourage DPHHS to use existing wage and benefit data to verify compliance before requiring people to submit additional paperwork, helping eligible Montanans maintain their coverage while reducing administrative burden. Thank you.
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.
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.
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.