May is mental health awareness month, and local organizations are encouraging everyone to take time for self care.
The Healthy Communities Coalition of Lewis and Clark County have compiled a Mental and Social Wellbeing Resource Guide for the community.
Loneliness and isolation have always been health issues in Montana, COVID-19 has just made it more prevalent.
“When COVID hit we thought it was a really good opportunity to come together because there’s so many resources out there,” said Laura Gottschalk, care gap coordinator with the Montana Primary Care Association. “Especially for people that are overwhelmed, it’s nice just to have all those resources in one place.”
The guide includes direct links to many mental health resources, including hotlines, addiction recovery, parenting resources and how to stay happy and healthy during the pandemic.
The Healthy Communities Coalition says it’s vitally important for people to take care of themselves physically, socially, and emotionally.
“There’s so much research out there that says mental Health really impacts overall health and especially chronic disease, but I think that oftentimes it’s one of the last things that is addressed,” said Gottschalk. “
The Mental and Social Wellbeing Resource Guide is a living document that will be continually updated with additional resources as they become available.
Lewis and Clark Public Health is also holding two public virtual QPR trainings where participants can earn a $5 gift card for completing the two-hour program and a pre/post test and evaluation form.
The QPR events are scheduled for May 12, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. and May 21, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. More information can be found on the Lewis and Clark Suicide Prevention Facebook page.
If you or a loved one are have thoughts of suicide, please reach out.
The Montana Suicide Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255 or you can text “MT” to 741 741. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
More information about resources available for suicide prevention and survivor of suicide loss can be found at any of these sites.
Montana Suicide prevention resource website
