April/May 2014 • Section A
Community Mental Health for a
Healthy Community Celebrating Mental Health Month By Jessica Bayramian Byerly
IN THIS ISSUE 2
BOZEMAN PUBLIC LIBRARY
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ARTISTS’ GALLERY
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F11
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VERGE THEATRE
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VIRGINIA CITY
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EARTH’S TREASURES
Initiated in 1949 to inform Americans about mental illness, Mental Health Month provides an annual platform for education, enlightenment and acceptance, while reminding those impacted by mental illness to recommit to advocacy, reform and recovery. Mental Health Month also provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on one’s own mental health and on the policies and politics that impact our community and country. A pandemic of epic proportions, mental illness strikes worldwide regardless of age, gender, race and ethnicity. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, reports that mental illness impacts the lives of at least one in four adults and one in 10 children—or 61.5 million Americans. And of that 61.5, 13.6 milion live with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, major depression or bipolar disorder. According to NAMI Montana, rates are even higher here, with one in five Montana families affected by mental illness. Perhaps of greatest concern, Montana suicide rates have ranked among the top five in the nation for over 40 years, despite outreach and prevention efforts. Sadly, an average of 15 Montanans will attempt suicide every single day. Since the infamous deinstitutionalization in the 1950s and subsequent passage of the Community Mental Health Centers Act in 1963, community-based mental health treatment has replaced institutionalized care and vastly improved the quality of life for those struggling with chronic mental illness. Since its inception in 2002, Gallatin Mental Health Center (GMHC), Gallatin Valley’s own community-based treatment facility, has provided exceptional outpatient services, crisis care and peer support programs. With a marked growth in need over the past decade has come an increase in the breadth and scope of GMHC’s mission. The comprehensive behavioral health programming now includes vocational services, a peer-run drop-in center, supported housing, comprehensive school and community treatment (CSCT), jail diversion and children’s services in addition to the traditional outpatient therapy, psychiatric, case management and crisis stabilization services GMHC has always provided. And, they provide all of this care to a community that is not always able to pay. In the past year, GMHC provided over $326,000 in charity care. And the Center averages those numbers every single year. In recognition of Mental Health Month this May, GMHC is providing several free educational opportunities to which the
public is cordially invited and hosting its first annual Hustle for Hope 5k Run/Walk to promote ongoing education and raise funds toward its continued provision of free and low-cost care in the Gallatin Valley. GMHC will be offering free weekly seminars at the Bozeman Public Library addressing issues ranging from suicide in our culture and brain health to the Gallatin County crisis system. The Hustle for Hope 5k will be held, rain or shine, on Saturday, May 31st. The event kicks off with registration and refreshments beginning at 7:30AM, followed by a welcome and raffle at 8:30, a children’s event at 9 and the 5k at 9:30. Beginning on the GMHC campus at 699 Farmhouse Lane, the Hustle will traverse over Pete’s Hill and around Lindley Park. Pre-registration is $25 and includes run participation, refreshments and a goody bag. Day-of registration will be an additional $5. For a full schedule of Mental Health Month events and further details or to learn more about GMHC services and community engagement, visit www.gallatinmentalhealth.org or call 405.556.6500. To sign up for the run visit www.active. com/bozeman-mt/running/distance-running-races/hustle-forhope-2014 Sources:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/statistics/1ANYDIS_ADULT.shtml http://www.nami.org/factsheets/mentalillness_factsheet.pdf http://mtstandard.com/montana-suicide-rates-by-the-numbers
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HARLEY’S CORNER
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