Montana Journalist Reflects on Community-Based Mental Health Reforms for Future Generations
As a journalist, I have rewritten the article to make it unique. Here is my new version:
The Behavioral Health Systems for Future Generations Commission is working tirelessly to transform our mental health system in Montana. As a representative for Billings, I am proud to be part of this initiative that aims to better support families facing developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. By gathering insights from experts and communities across the state, we are shaping reforms that will have a lasting impact on mental health care in Montana.
During one of our recent meetings, I emphasized the importance of holding statewide meetings to ensure broad participation in the commission’s work. Our assemblies in Kalispell, Billings, Helena, and Havre have touched on various aspects of mental health, including developmental disabilities, children’s mental health, insights from Native American communities, and workforce development.
The commission is currently focusing on several Near-Term Initiatives (NTI’s) aimed at improving access to mental health services. One such initiative is funding community-based court-ordered evaluations (COE) and stabilization services. This initiative aims to ensure individuals receive prompt and comprehensive assessments closer to home, reducing the pressure on state hospitals and providing quicker intervention and support.
Another NTI is funding existing mobile crisis providers to enhance on-the-spot intervention capabilities and offering grants to crisis-receiving and stabilization providers to expand their capacity. This will ultimately ease the burden on emergency departments and ensure individuals receive the help they need when they need it most. Other NTIs include partnering with universities and the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a crisis curriculum for all crisis workers, providing essential training to improve crisis intervention quality, supporting providers in training their workforce to assist individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), and helping Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) obtain certification to deliver specialized services for individuals with IDD.
Overall, these initiatives aim to improve accessibility of mental health services in Montana by bringing care closer to home and providing quicker intervention when needed. The commission’s work will continue to shape reforms that will benefit families facing developmental disabilities and mental health challenges for generations to come.
