Congress now requires Medicaid Expansion enrollees to prove every six months that they work, study, or volunteer at least 80 hours a month (Section 71119). Meeting the hours isn’t the problem—navigating the paperwork, mailings, and call-center delays is. NAMI Montana urges residents to ask Governor Greg Gianforte to automate verification through existing state databases, preventing eligible Montanans from losing coverage to red tape. Call 406-444-3111 or send a message at https://governor.mt.gov/contact/.

Treatment Scout GPT's response to the following prompt:

Prompt: What are the five highest ranked veteran treatment facilities in Texas with at least ten reviews? List based on the ranking. If there is a tie, then the winner is the number of reviews.

NAMI Montana’s Treatment Scout GPT is a powerful tool developed to help families navigate specialized mental health care options across the U.S., especially for hard-to-access services like those in Seattle. The tool categorizes over 5,000 facilities by type—such as inpatient mental health, addiction, IOP, PHP, TMS, ketamine, ECT, and more—making it easier to locate targeted care. To use it effectively, users should first identify the specific type of treatment needed. While comprehensive, users are encouraged to double-check all information and explore more resources on the NAMI Montana website.

The U.S. Senate is currently debating Medicaid-funded care, which is vital for Montanans living with mental health conditions. Please consider reaching out to Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy to respectfully urge their support for continued Medicaid access. A positive, polite message can make a real difference. Medicaid helps individuals and families access the mental health care they need to recover and thrive. Contact information and a sample message are included to make it easy to speak up.

Thank you for supporting mental health care in Montana—have a great Fourth of July!
– Matt Kuntz, Executive Director

NAMI Montana is delighted about DPHHS’s new update about a potential Billins' location for the State of Montana’s new forensic facility. This was one of the major wins of this Legislative session for us as we worked with partners on the serious issues of serious mental health conditions in Montana’s jails.

It’s just the beginning, but it’s a really great start.

NAMI Montana been working on Treatment Scout for over a decade to try and share the internal resources that NAMI Montana uses to help people find intense or niche behavioral health care treatments. One of the most interesting parts is seeing how the treatment programs have changed. One of the most interesting niches that sprung up was the rise of Intensive Outpatient Treatment programs (281 on Treatment Scout) and Partial Hospitalization programs (70 on Treatment Scout). They went from almost none around the country to some of our most important categories.

Check out the tool at Treatment Scout GPT. https://chatgpt.com/g/g-684c8b7450d081919644f2d39ca15ccb-treatment-scout-gpt

The very first blood test for Alzheimer's disease detection has been green-lit by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), providing a simpler and less invasive method for early diagnosis and speedier intervention. It's a milestone moment for medical science.

While finding a cure remains elusive, we're edging closer to more impactful interventions that can slow cognitive decline. The blood test, known as the Lumipulse G pTau217/ß-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio screening, aims to identify the early accumulation of amyloid plaques in people aged 55 years or older, who show early signs of the disease.

Read the full article at New Atlas

Anxiety and insomnia feed each other in a relentless cycle that erodes mental and physical health. This week’s NAMI Montana blog explains how elevated stress hormones, rumination, and muscle tension keep the brain awake, while sleep loss intensifies amygdala reactivity, worsening anxiety. Up to eighty percent of people with anxiety report persistent insomnia, yet evidence‑based solutions exist. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (including digital versions), targeted anxiety treatment, and simple habits—consistent wake times, screen‑free wind‑down routines, breathing exercises, daylight exposure—can restore restful nights. The post also lists local NAMI support groups, classes, and helpline resources to help Montanans reclaim sleep.

Montana’s 2025 legislative session wrapped with milestone victories for mental health. Lawmakers, advocates, and partners finally overhauled the state’s behavioral‑health financing system after years of effort, creating a stronger foundation for community care. In a rapid January‑to‑May push, they also secured new forensic psychiatric beds, reducing reliance on county jails for people with serious mental illness—a need spotlighted in Katheryn Houghton’s recent article. These reforms, detailed in the video below, reshape Montana’s treatment continuum. None of this could have happened without your advocacy and financial backing; thank you for powering these wins. — Matt Kuntz, Executive Director.

Yesterday, supporters enthusiastically responded to NAMI Montana’s call to action for two critical mental health reform bills, HB 912 and HB 949. Both passed the House Second Reading—HB 912 by 36‑14 and HB 949 by 37‑11. HB 949 then advanced through Third Reading with a 33‑17 vote and now heads to Governor Gianforte’s desk for signature. HB 912 moves to the Senate Finance and Claims Committee for further consideration. To bolster HB 949 in committee, advocates can leave a message for the Senate Finance and Claims Committee at (406) 444‑4800, urging support for establishing a forensic hospital in Eastern Montana. Thank you for your support. Happy Easter! Matt Kuntz

Montana’s 2025 legislative session has been remarkable, and we’ll share a full recap soon. In the meantime, please take three minutes to call (406) 444‑3064 and leave a message for five Senators in or near your community. Your voice is absolutely critical: urge them to vote yes on HB 912, to establish a forensic mental health facility in Eastern Montana, and HB 949, to require a state fee structure and rules for community commitments. Simply say your name, hometown, and “please vote yes for HB 912 and HB 949.” Your quick action will help rebuild Montana’s mental health treatment system.

The Montana Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services (Section B) will hold hearings on Tuesday, January 21, and Wednesday, January 22, from 8:00 AM to noon (public comment ~11:30 AM) in Room 102 of the Capitol. Testify in person, online (legmt.gov/participate), or via phone. Advocate for funding NAMI Montana's "Consistent Six" priorities: crisis beds, CCBHCs, forensic evaluations, school-based care, acuity-based payments for at-risk youth, and group homes. Highlight mental health's critical importance. Support the Budget Bill for comprehensive funding. Share personal or community impacts in your testimony. Written and phone messages are encouraged if attendance isn’t possible.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded $1 million planning grants to 14 states and Washington, D.C., to advance Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022. The grants help states establish Medicaid reimbursement systems and certification processes to improve mental health and substance use care. Montana, a recipient, has long prioritized this model, with support from Governor Gianforte’s budget and NAMI Montana’s advocacy. CCBHCs provide comprehensive, accessible care, including crisis services, regardless of patients' ability to pay. By 2026, up to 10 states will join a four-year demonstration program.

This blog post expresses gratitude for the support NAMI Montana received in the past year, despite facing significant challenges. Key achievements highlighted include:

• Expanding access to mental health support groups and educational programs.

• Partnering with MSU to deliver youth mental health education.

• Providing crucial guidance and support to Montanans navigating mental health and legal systems.

• Advocating for legislative changes to improve veterans' mental health care and access to innovative treatments.

• Hosting a successful conference to share knowledge and gather community input.

• Introducing new legislation to address the mental health needs of veterans affected by traumatic brain injuries.

The post emphasizes the crucial role of donors and partners in enabling these accomplishments and expresses optimism for the future, acknowledging the ongoing work ahead, particularly during the upcoming legislative session.

Governor Greg Gianforte’s recently announced budget brings significant advancements for mental health care in Montana. Key funding priorities align with NAMI Montana’s “Consistent Six,” including stabilizing behavioral health financing through Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs), expanding forensic evaluations, strengthening school-based mental health care, acuity-based payments for at-risk youth, group homes, and crisis beds. NAMI Montana is especially encouraged by the support for CCBHCs, a crucial model for sustainable mental health and substance abuse treatment. The budget also includes increased funding for Montana State Hospital and Medicaid Expansion. NAMI Montana supporters are urged to thank Governor Gianforte for prioritizing mental health initiatives.

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) announced today that donation boxes have been set up at various locations across the state to receive holiday gifts to benefit Montana State Hospital (MSH) patients.

 The effort is part of the annual Gifts with a Lift program that has played an instrumental role in spreading holiday cheer to patients for the past 72 years. The program ensures all MSH patients receive a gift this holiday season.

NAMI Montana's upcoming conference will feature Dr. Heather Zaluski and Dr. Bob Sise, two prominent Montana psychiatrists, addressing critical topics in mental health care. Dr. Zaluski will discuss the role of child psychiatrists, focusing on first-episode psychosis and the need to improve access to this vital resource. Dr. Sise will highlight comprehensive treatment for substance use and mental health disorders, emphasizing meeting patients where they are in their recovery journey. Both experts are leading telehealth initiatives to expand mental health care access across Montana. The conference will be held in Great Falls and streamed online.

George Orwell, the renowned author of 1984 and Animal Farm, struggled with depression, feelings of isolation, and tuberculosis throughout his life. Despite these challenges, Orwell produced some of the most influential political and literary works of the 20th century. His experiences of injustice, illness, and mental health struggles shaped his worldview and writing, offering profound insights into human nature and society. Orwell's life teaches us valuable lessons about perseverance, the importance of truth, the coexistence of achievement and mental health challenges, and finding meaning in adversity. His legacy remains a source of inspiration for readers today.

Charles Darwin, renowned for his theory of evolution, battled chronic anxiety throughout his life. Despite his mental health struggles, Darwin's perseverance led to groundbreaking scientific contributions. His voyage on the HMS Beagle and subsequent work on "On the Origin of Species" were marked by severe anxiety and physical ailments. Darwin's life teaches valuable lessons in perseverance, the importance of support systems, balancing work with health, and the impact of mental health on creativity. His story underscores that significant achievements can be made despite enduring personal struggles, offering inspiration to those facing similar challenges.