What You Can Do to Support Suicide Prevention in Montana
Mary Kate Keller | September 10, 2025
For nearly half a century, Montana has been one of the most at-risk states for suicide. In 2024, nearly 30 out of 100,000 Montanans died by suicide, twice the national average rate of suicide.
Montana is at higher risk than other states for various reasons, making suicide a multifactoral and cultural issue.
Montana has a high concentration of populations most affected by suicide, including Veterans, American Indians, and middle age White men.
Alcohol use and abuse is much higher in Montana.
Vitamin D Deficiency and altitude play a factor in increased depression and suicide rates.
There are socioeconomic reasons—1 out of 5 children in Montana live more than 100% below the federal poverty level.
Montanans also experience high social isolation, with an average of 6.7 people per square mile—the national average is 88.7.
There is a lack of access to mental healthcare and behavioral health services to Montanans most in need.
(Montana DPHHS, 2022)
Cities like Bozeman and Missoula have greater access to mental healthcare than other communities, due to higher per capita, universities, and higher socioeconomic status. Whether you live in a city or rurally, here’s how you can use your resources to support suicide prevention in Montana.
Know your Local Resources
In addition to national resources such as the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, some communities have their own crises centers.
In Bozeman, Montana, the Help Center offers 24/7 free help to those experiencing mental health crises. Other Montana crisis call centers include Voices of Hope and the Lifeline Call Center 988.
Recognize the Stigma
To end the stigma against mental health, we must be aware of it. Montana has high rates of suicide, and there is little talk about mental health. If nobody is talking about mental health in your community, be the one to bring it up.
Take Initiative in your own Mental Health
If you are able to take initiative in your own mental health by enrolling in therapy or other mental healthcare services, you may be the inspiration for somebody silently struggling to consider seeking help for their own.
Recognize, Respond, Refer
If somebody opens up to you and you recognize warning signs, such as social withdrawal, extreme mood swings, or verbal cues, listen and don’t take lightly what they are telling you. You may be the first person who they have felt comfortable enough to share their struggles with. Stay calm and show empathy and ask direct questions like “Are you thinking about harming yourself?” and “How would you harm yourself?”. After assessing the extent of the situation, refer them to appropriate resources, such as connecting them with a therapist or crisis center. If you believe someone you know is at risk of suicide or is in immediate danger, call 911.
Donate to Mental Health Scholarships
Too often, cost is the barrier that keeps people from accessing the help that they need. Mental health scholarships like Thank You Life use donation funding to give the gift of mental healthcare services to those suffering most.
Donate to Thank You Life today to help somebody experience the life-changing effects of ketamine-assisted therapy.
At Sub Rosa Therapy, we aim to provide high-quality mental healthcare services in ways that reduce barriers for those most in need. We do so by offering the following services:
Telehealth counseling and medication management for those who live rurally or are not able to make it to our office.
Spravato and ketamine-assisted therapy—Ketamine-assisted therapy has been shown to reduce suicidal thoughts within hours, where traditional treatments can take weeks to months. In crises, delay can cost lives. When paired with counseling, ketamine-assisted therapy can create long-term healing and save lives.
Comprehensive billing and scholarship programs to reduce administrative barriers and ensure access to mental healthcare through insurance plans whenever possible to keep counseling services affordable and accessible. We partner with scholarships like Thank You Life to help give the gift of healing, from the community, to the community.
Citation
Montana DPHHS. (2022, March). Montana Suicide Prevention Program [PowerPoint slides]. Montana Legislature. https://archive.legmt.gov/content/publications/fiscal/2023-Interim/March-2022/DPHHS-Suicide-Prevention.pdf
