Speakers Announce for 2024 NAMI Montana Conference

NAMI Montana commends Senator Jon Tester for nominating Diane Carlson Evans for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing her impactful advocacy for Montana veterans. Diane is celebrated for her key role in establishing the Vietnam Women's Memorial, honoring the service of U.S. women in the Vietnam War. Additionally, she significantly aided NAMI Montana's federal veterans advocacy, particularly influencing policies on mental health screening for service members. Diane also helped establish a Vet Center in Helena, enhancing support for combat veterans. NAMI Montana encourages public support for Diane’s nomination, highlighting her national influence on veterans' advocacy.

The TransMontana charity snowmobile ride, a cornerstone event organized by the Montana Snowmobile Association for NAMI Montana's veteran and youth mental health initiatives, marked its tenth year with resilience. Despite the cancellation of the ride due to insufficient snow, the community's spirit remained undeterred. A banquet in Butte replaced the ride, celebrating the enduring support and commitment of the riders, donors, and volunteers. Notably, no participant requested a refund, showcasing the deep dedication to the cause. The event raised vital funds for NAMI Montana's work with youth and veterans, highlighting the power of a committed community to drive change and support mental health care in Montana.

NAMI Montana is using Google Bard to showcase examples of how to search for mental health care resources. A request was made for the top five rated inpatient mental health facilities in Texas with over twenty ratings on Google Maps. The list includes The Menninger Clinic, The Center for Behavioral Health, The Meadows, The Austin Recovery Center, and The Emily Program, all with high ratings. The Menninger Clinic, located in Houston, is one of the oldest and most prestigious psychiatric hospitals in the country. The Center for Behavioral Health in Austin provides a range of mental health and addiction treatments. The Meadows, primarily in Arizona but also in Austin, specializes in treating eating disorders. The Austin Recovery Center focuses on inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment. Lastly, The Emily Program, based in Austin with other Texas locations, is a residential treatment center for eating disorders.