For the past thirty years, Montana has ranked in the top five states for suicides and currently has the highest suicide rate per capita. This is an ongoing and serious problem and we must all work together to stop the unacceptable losses we are experiencing.
On any given day across this nation we lose an average of 20 veterans to suicide. Montana is not immune to this painful reality but our state and nation have vowed to be better and are taking active steps to provide resources to those who have served this nation.
Recently, both in Great Falls and Billings, organizations from across the state came together to showcase the programs available to help our veterans. During the Great Falls event, Governor Bullock announced a new benefit available to all Montana veterans as well as former Montana National Guard members to help them during times of crisis. The Veterans Assistance Program (VAP) utilizes the State of Montana Employee Assistance Program benefit to provide 24/7 crisis counselors and four free counseling sessions per topic to veterans and current and former Guard members who need assistance. Reliant Behavioral Health manages the Montana Employee Assistance Program and will also manage the Veteran’s Assistance Program. They have registered counselors in 40 communities across Montana. To utilize the VAP benefit, veterans and former MT National Guard members can call 866-750-0512 or visit www.myrbh.com with access code: MTVet.
We are committed to providing resources to help service members and families in their time of need. I have directed our commanders to place the highest level of priority on soldier and airmen care and to support that goal. Asking for help is a sign of strength and is embodied in our soldier and airmen values.
The effort to reduce and eliminate veteran suicide relies on veterans seeking the help they deserve. Utilization of our VA-Montana Healthcare System, the VA crisis hotline, and our Montana Veteran’s Affairs Department service officers has proven to reduce veteran suicides. Augmenting these programs with the VAP benefit, authorized by Governor Bullock, will provide Montana veterans an additional resource to better understand suicide, what warning signs to look for and where to get help when needed.
As Montanans we are strong, proud and independent people. But sometimes we can’t do everything alone. We can all use a helping hand from time to time. When you are in need, reach out, get help and help preserve Montana’s most precious resource — you.
Major General Matt Quinn, State of Montana Adjutant General
Director, Department of Military Affairs