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September is 'Suicide Prevention Month'

By: Aneesa Coomer

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and last updated

GREAT FALLS — In the video above, Aneesa Coomer reports on National Suicide Prevention Month.

For decades Montana has ranked among the highest in suicide rates, ranking 3rd in the nation in 2020.

The Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services cites lack of behavioral health services, cultural stigma, and higher access to firearms as contributing factors to Montana’s high rates of suicide. With 90% of all firearm deaths in Montana being suicides.

Dr. Gilbert Esser, MD with Fort Harrison VA Medical Center says, “I think if we can do anything for our loved ones, if we know there is a crisis situation, let's make them comfortable in giving up that deadly pistol in that house or that deadly gun. It is so much faster and so much more deadly than any other method. And they’re afraid, you know, people are afraid they won’t get it back, but it's not about gun restriction or anything. It's just for the moment”.

After a suicide attempt as a teenager left Michael Woods paralyzed, he became an advocate for suicide prevention awareness. KRTV talked with Woods in 2017 about his experience:

Woods says, “I teach people that, you know, that there is hope on the next day. Then you get to the next day and reach out for help. Those struggles and those adversities, that's not a roadblock, but a detour. You're still going to get where you're going on your journey, but you're going to take a different route than you expected”.

One group especially at risk for suicide is veterans. While only making up 8.5% of the US population, Veterans accounted for 18% of all suicide deaths among adults.

The Department of Veterans Affairs began their Don’t Wait-Reach Out campaign in 2021, a suicide prevention initiative aimed at veterans as well as their family members to recognize signs of depression and to reduce the negative stigma around asking for help.

The Montana VA Suicide Prevention Program Manager Doung Stepina says, “The element we're still fighting is you have to be brave to come and talk about your mental health. Reducing stigma, it is so much about having the right kind of support and the more that we can talk about it with friends and family, I really believe it's powerful.”

There are numerous resources available to anyone struggling with their mental health, the most important part is recognizing the signs and asking for help. Call or text 988, and you will be connected to the 24 hour Suicide and Crisis hotline.

Here are some mental health services throughout North Central Montana:

Great Falls:

Voices of Hope

620 1st Ave S

Great Falls, Montana 59401

406-268-1330

https://www.voicesofhopemt.org/

Voices of Hope is also home to the 988 services for North Central Montana.

Many Rivers Whole Health

915 1st Ave S

Great Falls, Montana 59401

406-761-2100