September 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
Our annual NAMIWalks event is just a few days away. It’s not too late to get involved!
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.
The event is a 5K walk bringing together families, advocates, supporters, and community members to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and support mental health resources across the state.
Montana Behavioral Health Conference |
October 2026
Also coming up later this fall is the 2026 Montana Behavioral Health Conference.
This three-day conference is sponsored by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) through the Medicaid Block Grant and hosted by NAMI Montana.
The Conference is a statewide convening designed to strengthen Montana’s behavioral health system by bringing together people with lived experience, family members, providers, advocates, researchers, and public health leaders in a shared space for learning, connection, and system improvement.
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
September Is Suicide Prevention Month | New Research Suggests 988 Is Making a Measurable Difference
A 2026 JAMA Research Letter examined suicide mortality among adolescents and young adults ages 15–34 before and after the national launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in July 2022.
Researchers compared the number of suicide deaths observed from July 2022 through December 2024 with the number that would have been expected based on trends before 988 launched.
The researchers also looked at 988 use across the country. States with the largest increases in answered 988 calls experienced greater reductions in observed-to-expected suicide mortality than states with the smallest increases.
That finding adds to growing evidence that making crisis support easier to reach may play an important role in suicide prevention.
It is important to note that this was an observational study. The researchers found an association between the launch and use of 988 and lower-than-expected suicide mortality, but the study does not prove that 988 alone caused the reduction.
Still, the findings reinforce why accessible, responsive crisis support matters.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or emotional distress, call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 📞
Source: Patel VR, Liu M, Jena AB. Suicide Mortality Among Adolescents and Young Adults After Launch of a Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. JAMA. Published online April 22, 2026. doi:10.1001/jama.2026.5157
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.