New Mental Health Clinic for Bozeman Families

Shodair Children’s Hospital Opens Doors to New Mental Health Clinic for Bozeman Families

Shodair Children’s Hospital (Shodair.org), Montana’s leading resource in children’s mental health, recently announced the opening of its new Bozeman mental health clinic. The outpatient clinic assists Shodair’s continued effort to create a healthy Montana and provide access to care and treatment that has historically been limited within the community.

“Every day there are more children and adolescents who are experiencing mental health symptoms following the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Craig Aasved, CEO of Shodair. “Having designated clinics and providers in each community makes travel distance a non-issue for those looking for help. This is one of the first steps in combating this mental health crisis and meeting the needs of our children.”

Shodair has been committed to only entering communities in which they are invited. Following continued talks with the city of Bozeman and fellow health care providers, the clinic found its home at 1610 Ellis St. The clinical team at the Bozeman clinic is made up of a full-time psychiatric nurse practitioner, therapists and psychiatrists that offer invaluable, broad-spectrum care to children, adolescents, young adults and their families who experience a variety of mental health struggles. Ben Egbers is the provider allowing the community to access holistic high-quality care. This resource also means that patients can be prescribed necessary medication at their visit without needing to see additional providers. “During my clinical training, I witnessed firsthand the immense need for psychiatric services for kids and families in the Gallatin Valley and beyond, further compounded by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its downstream effects,” said Egbers. “I am excited to be able to act as an additional resource for those in need in our community and across Montana and look forward to being an active member of the Shodair organization and mental health community in Montana.”

The Bozeman outpatient clinic is the third mental-health outpatient clinic that Shodair has added to its developments within the last year. The Missoula and Butte clinics opened in 2020 and have helped alleviate the shortage of resources for mental health in each community, reaching more than 700 patients in need. Leaders of the organization have plans to open additional outpatient clinics in Great Falls and Lake counties in the near future.

In 2020, Shodair provided care to 4,000 patients across Montana through virtual visits as well as acute and residential stays. Looking ahead, the hospital will be able to serve patients in a more therapeutic environment as they embark on an ambitious capital fundraising campaign to construct a nearly 131,000-square-foot hospital. This new facility will provide flexible space, individual patient rooms, additional classrooms and activity areas.

To schedule an appointment at Shodair’s Bozeman outpatient clinic call 406-444-1171.