Arts & Entertainment
Big Sky Behavioral Health Coalition aims to help increasing mental health need in community
Published
3 years agoon
By Mira Brody EBS STAFF
BIG SKY – Like many mountain towns, Big Sky has a behavioral health epidemic, much of which has been deteriorated further by the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this existing and growing need, the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, supported by partners in both Madison and Gallatin counties, announced this morning, the formation of the Big Sky Behavioral Health Coalition.
“Behavioral health, and the services that our community needs, are obviously lacking,” said Ciara Wolfe, vice president of philanthropy at the YCCF. “They were lacking before the pandemic, and I think as you heard from everyone today, the pandemic only has exasperated that. Our board of directors has identified behavioral health as one of our top priorities and … the work that the partners shared here today is showing us a clear path forward on how we can best support the work of behavioral health.”
Partners in this effort, who each presented at the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce’s bi-annual Eggs & Issues meeting on Nov. 18, included: Maureen Womack, systems director of Behavioral Health at Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital; Michael Faust, director of Western Montana Mental Health Center; Taylor Rose, director of Clinical Services & Operations at Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center; Allen Rohrback, CEO at the Madison Valley Medical Center and Norman Feazell, director of Marketing and Program Development at Providence Mental Health.
Other supporting partners include the Spanish Peaks Foundation, the Big Sky Resort Area District, the Human Resources Development Center, Community Health Partners, Women In Action, Charlie Health and Bridger Care. The YCCF is serving as the backbone of the coalition and will begin the hiring process for a director in the coming weeks, as well as, help coordinate the involved community partners and provide direct community outreach. Big Sky Behavioral Health Coalition will have an office located in Town Center.
Behavioral Heath in Big Sky has been a widely-researched topic, and data reveals that needs are apparent and dire. There are a number of factors contributing to these staggering statistics, some of which include the ski town culture, isolation, its seasonal nature, our high altitude and cold winters and economic disparities. Factors preventing many from seeking help include transportation, cost, lack of resources and one of the biggest: the stigma.
“As humans were just a beautiful mess,” Faust said. “It’s OK that we’re messy, but what we are attempting to do today … is to try and unpack just what those issues are.”
“I really just call it discrimination,” Faust continued. “Stigma is a way that we discriminate against others to say, ‘hey, let’s not talk about that.’ Stigma is preventing us as a society from getting us to where we want to be.”
In Montana, suicide is the sixth leading cause of death and we have the third highest suicide rate per capita in the country. On average, an employer, often the first line of defense when it comes to mental health and substance abuse crisis, has to call law enforcement 20 times before a wellness check occurs. These numbers have only increased since the onset of the pandemic—weekly average reports of anxiety or depression went from 35 to 40 percent in July alone. Feazell says at Providence, who has locations in Bozeman, Belgrade and Three Forks, they saw an increase from 600 to over 1000 clients a month.
Big Sky Medical Center currently has telehealth services available to those who need it and are in the process of onboarding two mental health advisors, Dr. Patrick Maidman who is board certified in adolescent and adult psychiatry, and Dr. Kathy Damberger DNP, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. They are currently recruiting for a mental health specialist.
For those who need immediate mental health care, or are looking for the services available in the community, the hotline 2-1-1 is available 24/7.
Mira Brody is VP of Media at Outlaw Partners.
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February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
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15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
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Verge Theater
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Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during
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Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during their regular Toddler and Preschool Storytime on Wednesday, March 20, at 10:15 a.m. The free program, presented by the Bozeman Symphony is especially for children ages 3 to 5. Children will be able to listen to Montana Shakespeare in the Parks actor Emma Rather, who will be joined by Bozeman Symphony Bassoonist Sam Macken. The goal of the program is to encourage a love of music, literacy, and discovery. Additional programs are scheduled at the Library on April 10 and June 12. For more information, visit www.bozemansymphony.org or call 406-585-9774.
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(Wednesday) 10:15 am - 10:45 am
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Bozeman Public Library
626 E. Main St, Bozeman, MT