Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Montana: Resources, Events & Support

Suicide is a deeply personal and often stigmatized issue — yet it touches lives in Missoula, Great Falls, and across Montana. As we recognize Suicide Prevention Awareness Month this September, let’s change how we talk about suicide: with openness, empathy, and a commitment to building stronger, more supportive communities.

At Peaks and Valleys Therapy, with locations in Missoula and Great Falls, and Telehealth counseling available across Montana and Idaho, we’re dedicated to breaking the stigma around suicide and making compassionate, accessible care available to all.

Montana Teen looking out over a Mountain Range

The Urgency of Suicide Prevention in Montana

Montana has one of the highest suicide rates in the U.S., nearly twice the national average, and has remained in the top five states for over four decades.

Several key groups face particularly high risk:

• Youth aged 11–17 die by suicide in Montana at a rate more than three times the national average.

• LGBTQ youth are at significantly higher risk: they are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers, and transgender youth report especially high rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts.

• Over 71% of youth suicides in 2023 involved firearms, highlighting the critical need for safe firearm storage.

• In Montana, American Indians have the highest suicide rate—43 per 100,000—despite making up just 6% of the population.

• Montana veterans are also at elevated risk. The majority of veteran suicides involve firearms, and older veterans (50+) make up 65% of those deaths.

Geographic isolation and limited access to mental health care in rural Montana compound these challenges. Many residents travel over 90 miles for services — a gap we aim to bridge through Telehealth therapy available statewide.

Building a Culture of Connection and Conversation

One of the most powerful tools we have in suicide prevention is open conversation. Silence can lead to shame and disconnection, while empathetic dialogue fosters connection, safety, and hope.

Whether you're in Missoula, Great Falls, or a small rural community, suicide prevention begins with connection. We encourage all Montanans to:

• Hosting wellness workshops in schools and workplaces

• Creating safe spaces for emotional conversations

• Supporting local suicide prevention training like QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) and ASIST

Local organizations like Project Tomorrow Montana and Rise Up Montana offer training and resources across the state.

Mental Health Services in Missoula, Great Falls, and Across Montana

At Peaks and Valleys Therapy, our licensed clinicians provide:

• Individual therapy

• Family and couples counseling

• Specialized support for trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and more

We offer in-person counseling in Missoula and Great Falls, and Telehealth sessions across rural Montana and Idaho, making therapy more accessible to those facing barriers to in-office visits.

We also collaborate with trusted partners such as:

• Sydney Lea Counseling (Missoula)

• Verdant Mind & Wellness (Great Falls)

  
  

Suicide Prevention Resources in Montana

Montana offers critical support resources for those in crisis or seeking mental health help:

Help is available 24/7 — and closer than you may think.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

• Available by call, text, or chat

• Connects you to Montana-based crisis centers in Missoula, Bozeman, and Great Falls

• Over 90% of calls from Montana residents are answered in-state

• Visit 988lifeline.org or dial 988

• Prefer texting? Text "MT" to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line

Community Support

Organizations like Project Tomorrow Montana provide:

• Free QPR and ASIST trainings

• Peer-led support groups

• Suicide awareness events year-round

Safe Storage Saves Lives

Reducing access to lethal means — such as firearms and medications — is one of the most evidence-based strategies to prevent suicide.

Free Gun Locks

Available in cities across Montana — often no ID required:

• Missoula: Public Library & Missoula City-County Health Department

• Great Falls: Seasonal — contact local law enforcement for availability

• Bozeman, Butte, Helena, Billings: Health departments and police departments often distribute gun locks during events or awareness campaigns

Medication Lock Boxes & Disposal

Prevent accidental overdose or misuse by securing and properly disposing of medications:

• Missoula: Free lockboxes and Deterra disposal bags available at Missoula Public Health (301 W. Alder St)

• Drop-off sites: Police departments, local pharmacies (CVS, Albertsons, Walmart), and UM’s Curry Health Center

• Great Falls & Beyond: Check your city or county health department for disposal events and permanent collection sites

Pro Tip for Families:

Store firearms unloaded and medications in lock boxes or out of reach — especially if you have teens or young adults at home.

Suicide Prevention Events in September 2025

Many Montana communities are hosting events throughout Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. A few highlights:

Missoula Highlights

• Sept 2-30: Missoula Public Library is offering FREE gun safety locks at the safety desk on Level One

• Sept 8: Project Tomorrow Montana and Missoula Public Health are hosting a free QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training at the Missoula Public Library.

• Sept 8 - Oct 20: Grief After Suicide and Traumatic Loss Adult Support Group

• Sept 9: Loose Caboose Cup of Kindness Day - .50 cents for every drink sold will be donated to the Five Valleys Out of the Darkness Community Walk

• Sept 9: Talk Saves Lives at Community Medical Center

• Sept 11: Memory Keepers & Teen Council Teen Grief Group

• Sept 13: Five Valleys Out of the Darkness community walk

Great Falls Highlights

• Peer mentor programs active in local schools supporting student mental health

• Community QPR and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) sessions offered throughout September

Billings Highlights

• Sept 7: 2nd Annual Western Native Voice: National Suicide Prevention Week Fun Run

• Sept 21: Yellowstone Valley Walk Out of the Darkness

Bozeman Highlights

• Sept 7: Gallatin Valley Walk Out of the Darkness with educational booths and survivor stories

• Sept 8: Suicide Prevention with Active Minds Meeting at Montana State University

• Mental health workshops at Montana State University throughout the month

Butte Highlights

• Sept 13: Suicide prevention training for local educators and first responders

  
  

Kalispell Highlights

• Sept 8 - Oct 20: Grief Matters Adult Support Group

• Sept 11 - Oct 16: Grief After Suicide and Traumatic Loss Adult Support Group

• Sept 28: Flathead Valley Walk Out of the Darkness

Helena Highlights

• Sept 7: Kickoff event for Suicide Prevention Month at the Montana State Capitol

• Sept 10: Suicide awareness forum with local health organizations

• Ongoing mindfulness and mental wellness workshops at community centers

• Sept 21: NAMIWalks Montana

• Sept 23: AFSP Caring Communities at LCPH conference room

• Sept 30: Lewis and Clark Public Health-QPR at LCPH conference room

Sidney Highlights

• Sept 20: Eastern Montana Out of the Darkness Walk

Virtual Events

• Sept 4: Safe Reporting Saves Lives

• Sept 10 - Oct 1: Grief After Suicide and Traumatic Loss Adult Support Group

• Sept 16: Volunteer 101 MT & WY Become an Advocate

Participating in these Montana-wide events offers opportunities to connect, learn, and contribute to a more compassionate conversation around suicide prevention. Whether you are in Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman, or any community in between, your involvement makes a difference.

To register for a grief group, visit the Tamarack Grief Resource Center’s website.

Interested in joining or supporting a local Out of the Darkness Walk? Find event details and register on the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s website.

Sharing Stories and Emphasizing Hope

Real stories of survival and recovery help humanize this issue and reduce stigma. If you're comfortable, consider sharing your story through:

• Community events

• Advocacy groups

• Anonymous blog posts or op-eds

Your voice might be the lifeline someone else needs.

Prioritizing Self-Care and Mental Wellness

Supporting mental health involves practicing self-care—whether through mindfulness, physical activity, journaling, or connecting with others.

Our Missoula and Great Falls based therapists offer guidance and tools to help you and your family build resilience and maintain emotional wellness throughout the year.

Take Action This September — and Beyond

This Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, let’s take these steps together:

• Opening up conversations about mental health

• Spreading awareness of local and national resources

• Supporting community events in Missoula, Great Falls, and beyond

• Encouraging loved ones to seek help without judgment

• Embracing hope and healing

  
  

You Are Not Alone — Support Is Here

If you or someone you love is struggling, please call or text 988 or reach out to a mental health professional.

At Peaks and Valleys Therapy, we offer:

• In-person therapy in Missoula and Great Falls

• Online counseling for rural Montana and Idaho

• Confidential, compassionate care for individuals, couples, and families

Request a Callback on our website — a licensed therapist will connect with you.

Together, we can change the narrative around suicide in Montana and build a more compassionate, resilient community.

A peaceful Montana landscape during sunset