State of Montana Identifies Billings as the Likely Site for New Mental Health Facility

NAMI Montana is delighted about DPHHS’s new update about a potential Billins' location for the State of Montana’s new forensic facility. This was one of the major wins of this Legislative session for us as we worked with partners on the serious issues of serious mental health conditions in Montana’s jails.

It’s just the beginning, but it’s a really great start.

Helena Independent Record

Seaborne Larson

June 25, 2025

Montana's behavioral health system build-out is zeroing in on Billings as the site of a new facility for criminal defendants in need of intense psychiatric treatment.

Since before Montana's statehood, the state hospital for patients with severe psychiatric needs has been anchored in Warm Springs between Butte and Deer Lodge. That's a long haul for most of the state, particularly the eastern side where behavioral health services are sparse.

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Charlie Brereton told a state commission on Monday that with recently approved funding and ongoing momentum to bolster behavioral health services, the department seems likely to land a new facility in the Yellowstone County region.

"Right now we are focused on identifying a site for the facility and it looks more and more like the Billings region will be the location for the facility," Brereton told the Behavioral Health Systems for Future Generations Commission on Monday at the state Capitol.

Read the full article at this link.

Find out more about NAMI Montana's advocacy efforts at www.namimt.org