A Call to Mental Health Awareness

The Local Advisory Council for Mental Health and Addictive Services sponsored a Mental Health Awareness Meeting last week at the Great Northern Lodge. Among things discussed were a need for action, a new court appointed 24-7 program, potential grants and other concerns brought up by local departments within the county.

"The whole purpose of the Local Advisory Council is to improve or extend mental healthcare in the region we live," Council member Janice Reichelt said. "But we can't do it without knowing what areas are really problem areas and what you want us to work on."

Reichelt went on to say that is grant money out there to help communities that need help in the realm of mental health problems.

"They want to decrease the suicide rates and get people stabilized and functioning to the best of their ability," Reichelt said.

Reichelt opened the floor for improvement suggestions from the organizations and people present at the meeting.

Some of the suggestions included decreasing the wait time of persons and alcohol treatment, providing help to sufferers of mental and physical pain, improved crisis prevention, a suicide prevention program, improved children to adult transition program and there was an expressed need for a coordinator for the local ambulance service and a general concern about the welfare of the nursing home residents and staff.

Among the attendees was Jennifer Marshall, a first sergeant with the U.S. Army and registered nurse who has been in public health with the military for the past 26 years. She has recently accepted a position with Phillips County Home Health.

"We are the eyes and ears for behavioral health for soldiers," Marshall said. "Thinking outside of the box is my specialty."

Terri Skiff, who is treasurer of the Local Advisory Council also shared her concerns.

"I just believe that Phillips County needs more mental healthcare," Skiff said. "I believe in it. I know we need help all the way from elementary school, junior high and all the way on up."

Jennifer Strzelczyk, is a therapist with Altacare of Montana, a program that helps children at Malta schools.

"My big concern in Malta is after a kid turns 18 or 19 and Medicaid or insurance runs out, where do they do for mental health services," Strzelczyk said. "I really would like a local mental health clinic. Kind of like a day treatment program. A place where people can go and get the help they need and people can connect them to services."

Janice Roberts, a member of the Local Advisory Council since its beginning ten years ago, brought attention to those suffering from mental issues due to physical pain. She shared a personal experience that involved her son, who has honorably served in Iraq and Afganistan.

"Through his deployments, we've become very educated as to what happens to people who endure combat drama," Roberts said. "There have been many issues in his recovery. We learned about a pain relief clinic in Billings Mont."

She shared an invaluable resource, the Yellowstone Naturopathic Clinic, who works with sufferers of chronic pain. The number to reach the clinic is 406-259-5096.

"There are other naturopathic clinics in Billings but this one does have a pain relief program," Roberts said.

Sonia Young, represented both the Phillips County Coalition of Healthy Choices and the Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program Grant, which is sub-granted under Havre's Help Committee and Hi-Line Boys and Girls Club.

Reichelt brought attention to the fact the past grants have been used for studying mental health issues in our county, but the aim is for the group to be more proactive in future endeavors.

County Nurse Jenny Tollefson was present representing the Phillips County Health Department with Tasha Hines.

"A big part of public health should be the mental health of people," Tollefson said. "We've been having some issues with teenagers and suicide all over Montana. Its way higher than it should be."

Tollefson mentioned that the County Health Department has recently received a grant to not only help with mental health but also suicide prevention.

"It is a problem in our county and in other counties," Tollefson said. "With this new grant we applied for this fiscal year, there will be some money for me to do some suicide prevention education in the community."

Tollefson mentioned that she wasn't sure about the particulars of the classes, but they are fighting to bring in more resources.

Phillips County Justice of the Peace Gail Stahl echoed the need for action in Phillips County. Stahl also introduced a program that can help those who struggle with alcohol related problems.

"As of last week, we are going to have in Phillips County, what we call 24-7 to control some of the drinking," Stahl said.

The program will be for those who are charged with an alcohol induced partner-family member assault, driving under the influence or any other alcohol related charge.

"They come into the sheriff's office twice a day, twelve hours apart and they have to blow (on a breathalyzer)," Stahl said.

The program will cost the user four dollars a day.

"Two dollars will go to the program and two dollars will stay at the P.C. Sheriff's Department," Stahl said. "It does not cost us any money to bring the program in."

The Council also discussed the possibility of A.C.E. or Adverse Childhood Experience training as a resource for Phillips County in the near future.

If you are suffering from mental health issues and need support, the Montana Warm Line is another resource that can be reached at 1-877-688-3377. The email address for the program is [email protected].

A follow up lunch meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 17.