September P.C. Prevention News

September AND Suicide Prevention Awareness Month drew several activities to our area. First off placing garden flags and signs - with information on how to start a conversation about suicide, healthy coping skills, protective factors, etc. in the Villa Theatre “Park” alongside Malta’s main drag.

Fall is Homecoming! PS Gina Lamb was chauffeured by her husband in the MHS Homecoming Parade! Tossing out, (privately donated We Appreciate It!!) Suicide Prevention wristbands and candy to parade crowds.

Twenty-one Volunteers (including MHS reACT Crew & Phillips County Coalition for Healthy Choices [PCCHC]), 143 Registered for a total of 164 participants in this years PC Suicide Prevention Awareness Walk. The Walk was organized by the Phillips County Hospital & Family Health Clinic, PC Prevention, and the Phillips County Health Department. Guest speaker Josh Stewart, former Lodge Grass Indians Boys Basketball Head Coach shared his story and some positive words on how we as a community can help one another.

The rescheduled (from March 2024) Laura Stack presentation of “Johnny Stack’s Life & Death Story: The Truth About Today’s Marijuana” reached 315 people in our small community and beyond. Including middle school and high school students from Phillips County. A free meal was provided prior to the event, thanks to donations from Poncho’s Posse, PC LAC, First State Bank of Malta, Independence Bank, and Bridger Bank of Malta, the Mustang Foundation provided cookies and bars for dessert. Members of Malta Kiwanis, PCCHC and PC LAC and the Mustang Foundation volunteered to serve the meal. Christina Ward, Mental Health Services Specialist, Mental Health Ombudsman’s Office for the State of Montana was on hand to assist with greeting attendees.

And finally, with so many, (youth and up) struggling with depression and anxiety in our community and beyond. PS Gina Lamb was at a loss of what to do next. So, she prayed about it… then, organized a Public Prayer Vigil held in Veteran’s Memorial Park. Phillips County Ministerial Association provided pastors to speak and lead us in prayer. Youth groups and community members, a total of 38, were in attendance on a beautiful fall evening.