Montana’s suicide rate remains one of the highest in the nation. According to the 2023 Yellowstone County Community Health Needs Assessment, one in four residents in the area has contemplated suicide.
The 2023 Montana Youth Risk Behavior Survey reveals that 30% of high school students in Yellowstone County have considered suicide, while 25% have either made a plan or attempted suicide. Despite these concerning statistics, there are strong community efforts in place to prevent suicides.
The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Yellowstone Valley comprises over 20 organizations in the county. We collaborate to brainstorm and exchange information on our efforts towards achieving zero suicides in our community. Some local suicide prevention initiatives include:
• Promoting the 988 crisis line, which offers 24/7 support by trained crisis counselors in Montana. Individuals can call or text 988 for assistance.
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• Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) trainings that educate community members on how to communicate with someone in crisis. QPR training can be completed in about an hour. To arrange a QPR training for your group or staff, visit the Suicide Prevention Coalition’s website spcoalitionyv.org or email spcoalitionyv@gmail.com.
• Ask in Earnest, a project based in Montana, provides support to farmers and ranchers, acknowledging the stresses of agricultural producers and rural life. Learn more about Ask in Earnest by visiting their website at askinearnest.org.
• Pay Love Forward, available online at payloveforward.net, is a volunteer organization in Billings that offers mentoring to youth through healthy activities and community building.
• Local organizations supporting the well-being of U.S. military veterans and families, including: Veterans Navigation Network at 406-435-9308 or 406-698-5448, which connects veterans to necessary services; and Horses Spirits Healing at 406-245-4076, offering equine therapy. Dog Tag Buddies (dogtagbuddies.org or 406-969-1227) provides service dogs to veterans with PTSD and offers additional services.
• Big Sky Senior Services offers free counseling sessions for older adults struggling with depression and other mental health issues. Call 406-259-3111 for more information.
• The Rainbow Coffee House supports LGBTQIA+ youth by providing them with healthy activities and counseling. For more details, visit Rainbow Coffee House Billings on Facebook or Instagram.
RiverStone Health provides mini grants to fund prevention projects offered by some of our Suicide Prevention Coalition partners. The coalition convenes monthly at RiverStone Health, 123 S. 27th St. in the Lil Anderson Center. Community members interested in offering hope and preventing suicides are encouraged to join the one-hour meeting in person or remotely. To learn more, visit spcyv.org.
One of RiverStone Health’s ongoing projects is promoting safe firearms storage. The majority of suicides in Montana involve firearms. Research indicates that gunlocks can help deter individuals contemplating suicide. To receive free gunlocks for safe firearms storage, please call us at 406-247-3273.
For someone struggling, the most challenging thing is to ask for help. They are silently hoping not to be invisible, and for someone to reach out and acknowledge them. Be that person. A small act of kindness or a supportive word can make all the difference in how that person feels seen and heard.
If you feel like you have nowhere to turn, remember that the 988 number is available for texting or calling, day or night. A Montanan is on the other end of that line to assist you. You are not alone.
Sarah Music oversees health promotion services at RiverStone Health and leads the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Yellowstone Valley. She can be contacted at 406-247-3273.
