Real Headway on Youth Suicide Prevention and Crisis Beds at the Montana Legislature
May 22, 2023
We are getting deeper into the Montana Legislative Session. NAMI Montana has been working closely with our legislative allies for more than two years to prepare for this moment, knowing that several major funding platforms needed significant structural change.
HB 286 – Funding for Youth Suicide Prevention
Sponsor: Representative Mary Caferro
Status: Passed the Legislature
Representative Caferro’s legislation to fund research-proven youth suicide prevention programs through the cannabis tax has officially passed the Legislature. These programs can make a critical difference in Montana schools, and we are thrilled to see them strengthened statewide.
If you would like to learn more about examples of these evidence-based programs and how they fit into a school’s overall mental health plan, there is an excellent overview in the Montana Crisis Action Toolkit on Suicide (starting on page 19):
👉 https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/suicideprevention/cast-s2022.pdf
HB 557 – Funding for Mental Health Crisis Beds
Sponsor: Representative Jennifer Carlson
Status: Senate Hearing Scheduled
Representative Carlson’s legislation clarifying that mental health crisis stabilization services can be funded through the cannabis tax will be heard in the Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Safety Committee:
Friday
2:00 PM
Room 317
Available in person and via Zoom
You may watch the hearing, testify, or submit a written message asking the Committee to support this critical legislation. Instructions are available at the link below:
👉 Contact the Montana Legislature to Support HB 557
https://leg.mt.gov/session/have-your-say/
We would greatly appreciate any extra support you can provide for HB 557, as I will be unable to attend the hearing on Friday. Colleen Rahn and Jason DeShaw will be testifying and would deeply value knowing they have strong community backing.
Thank you, as always, for your continued advocacy and support.
Matt Kuntz
Executive Director
NAMI Montana