A Multi-Year Partnership Changing the Landscape of Mental Health for Montana’s Youth and Veterans
For over a decade, the Trans-Montana Charity Ride—a premier week-long snowmobile adventure organized by the Montana Snowmobile Association (MSA)—has been more than just a ride through the Rockies. It is a lifeline for Montanans struggling with mental illness.
Through this incredible partnership, snowmobilers from across the country have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support NAMI Montana’s mission. Every dollar raised stays right here in the Treasure State, specifically fueling high-impact programs for two of our most vulnerable populations: Veterans and Youth.
🎖️ Impact for Veterans: Leading National Change
The partnership between NAMI Montana and the Trans-Montana Charity Ride has empowered us to advocate for monumental shifts in how the United States military and the VA approach brain health and suicide prevention. These funds have directly supported our efforts to shape the following federal laws and initiatives:
The Hannon Act (October 2020)
Named after Montana’s own Commander John Scott Hannon, this landmark legislation represents a turning point in veterans' mental healthcare. Our work through this act includes:
The Hannon Precision Brain Health Initiative: Establishing a new standard to improve the diagnosis and treatment of specific brain health conditions.
Clinical Guidelines: Developing and implementing national clinical practice guidelines for mental health care and suicide prevention.
Integrative Care: Launching pilot programs for complementary practices like yoga, mindfulness, and the use of service dogs.
Emergency Safety: Implementing suicide safety planning protocols within VA emergency departments.
Advancing Care and Research
Our advocacy extends through several major legislative cycles to ensure veterans receive cutting-edge treatment:
The Cleland-Dole Act (2022): We worked to secure provisions for treating Treatment-Resistant Depression , conducting gap analyses of psychotherapeutic interventions , and including Peer Specialists in the VA healthcare accounting system. We also helped streamline VA research by advocating for Paperwork Reduction Act exclusions.
The Elizabeth Dole Act (2025): Our ongoing efforts include the planning and piloting of Value-Based Care programs to ensure quality and efficiency in veteran healthcare.
Foundational Screenings: Our policy legacy dates back to the National Defense Appropriations Act of 2010, which mandated person-to-person mental health screenings for the entire U.S. military before and after combat deployments.
🎓 Impact for Youth: World-Class Programs in Montana Schools
Montana has historically faced some of the highest youth suicide rates in the nation. Thanks to the Trans-Montana riders, we have partnered with Montana State University (MSU) to bring evidence-based, life-saving programs to students across the state.
Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM): In collaboration with MSU’s Center for Research on Rural Education, we have successfully implemented the YAM program in over 30 Montana schools.
What is YAM? It is an interactive, classroom-based program that teaches students how to recognize mental health struggles, build resilience, and help peers in crisis.
Proven Results: Globally, YAM has been shown to reduce suicide attempts and severe suicidal ideation by approximately 50%.
Teen Mental Health First Aid: We are expanding our work with MSU to introduce Teen Mental Health First Aid, empowering high school students to identify and respond to signs of mental health or substance use challenges among their friends.
Early Intervention: By funding these programs, we are ensuring that mental health education begins in middle and high school—long before a crisis occurs.
❄️ About the Ride
The Trans-Montana Charity Ride is a 6-day, multi-stage snowmobile tour that visits different Montana communities each year. From the rugged trails of West Yellowstone to the peaks surrounding Butte and Helena, riders experience the best of "Big Sky Country" while collecting pledges for mental health.
The event culminates in the Annual MSA Banquet and Charity Auction, where the snowmobiling community gathers to celebrate their impact and further support NAMI Montana’s work. We will hold our annual banquet in Helena this year on Saturday, Feb 7th at the Delta Hotel. The Helena Snowdrifters will be hosting the event! You are still welcome to come without dinner, and enjoy the bar, the awards and auction! But please join us for dinner and support the club!
Please purchase your tickets ahead of time!
Click here to purchase your tickets.
How You Can Help
Join the Ride: Experience the camaraderie and beauty of Montana’s winter backcountry.
Sponsor a Rider: Support those who are hitting the trails for a cause.
Donate Either Online or at the Banquet: Your contributions directly fund the legislative advocacy and school-based programs mentioned above.