Fighting to Decrease Suicide Rate in Montana

Dear Editor:

I am writing to encourage everyone to join the fight to help decrease the suicide rate in Montana. We have ranked in the top three for suicides per capita for years. Now we know more knowledge and we need to utilize it in order to improve not only that terrible statistic, but to decrease the loss of life due to suicides and address the desperation that is causing our people to act.

I know that is a big goal, but united we can do it! Some of you have already been introduced to the national hot line number 988, but we need EVERYONE, especially the persons at risk and their families to know it. This number has been a game-changer since its inception a little over a year ago. When people call and postpone their desperate action even for the time that it takes to make a phone call the rate of success in saving their life increases. The hotline is staffed by trained persons who start the counseling process immediately, but also get them connected to further on-going help. Phillips County Hospital has had people referred back to them and that is encouraging as not only are they saved, but there is a chance of helping them stabilize and be happier.

I admit as the Chair of the Local Advisory Council of Behavioral Health, I waited until the help line got a few kinks out before promoting it in Phillips County as initially people would call and get poor or no assistance, but it has improved. I knew that the regional group gave mini-grants to help promote the number and so I put in for $500 to be used in our county and received it. We used some to promote the “988 help line” on flyers, but I just thought that some people do not read flyers so decided that a little raffle might be more fun. Thus, the 988 board was started. People need to donate a dollar or more to the “Neighbor in Need” fund and they get to choose a number for their name and that gets them a chance to win $200 when we get the board filled. 988 chances to win!

Mental Illness is known as the “no casserole” disease as people often hide that their family is in crisis at a time like this, but it is evident that an emergency trip to a regional center and the financial needs incurred with that travel adds to the stress. The funds will be used to help people get started on their recovery.

Thank you to the business who have hosted “the 988 board”namely First State Bank, Malta Med. Asso., River’s Bend Retirement Center, Malta High School, V.F.W., P.C. Courthouse, and P.C. Hospital and Clinic. Please call 406-654-5034 if you would like to help out. We are 1/3 done!

Sincerely,

Janice Reichelt, L.A.C. Chair

Malta