Welcome

Suicide persists as a major public health problem in Montana. There are many individuals and organizations that are working to address this issue. These include: survivors, youth, law enforcement officers, tribal members, mental health professionals, health care providers, community volunteers, schools, not-for-profit agencies, spiritual leaders, clergy, state, local and federal government officials, and many others.

The individuals and agencies that are currently addressing suicide often do so from their own unique perspective and to meet their own special needs. To date, there has been no statewide, strategic effort to link these many assets together and to build a stronger network of resources to address suicide as a major statewide public health priority.

In the Spring of 2000, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services invited a group of private organizations, concerned citizens and government officials to begin the development of a statewide plan for suicide prevention. With consultation from international experts in suicide prevention, the Montana Suicide Prevention Steering Committee began work that lead to the development of this statewide strategic plan. This document is the result of the initial planning effort and outlines a 5-year strategic direction and an action plan for the next 12 months. The Steering Committee intends that each year it will review progress against the plan and establish strategic priorities for the succeeding 12 months.

• The State Strategic Suicide Prevention Steering Committee

• Critical Illness and Trauma Foundation, Inc.

• The Montana Mental Health Association

• Morton Silverman, MD, Consultant

• Bryan Tanney, MD, PhD, Consultant

• Strategic Health Comcepts, Inc., Consultant