People here are in crisis: What we need is a facility to address that

Last week was Red Ribbon Week, which is the country’s largest drug-abuse prevention campaign. Think DARE, but actually effective. The program runs annually from Oct. 23-31. Many schools recognize the campaign and find fun, unique, and interesting ways to incorporate Red Ribbon events into their curriculum. 

The Anaconda Junior/Senior High School brought in prevention specialists with Southwest Montana Prevention, Sue Konicek and Katie Gruss. The guest speaker for the event was Montana Meth Project Peer Support Specialist Angie Haughey. The presentation provided a handful of junior high students with a slideshow packed with valuable information and Haughey’s presentation that followed.

It was during the discussion that I saw something that left me flabbergasted. When the presenter asked the kids how many of them had experienced issues with depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts and ideations, hands shot up in the air until the arm of almost every student was raised. It was devastating, but not surprising. Anaconda is, after all, the county with the highest suicide rate in the state. 

Yet, we don’t have a single service dedicated directly to suicide prevention. No support groups, no (official) suicide prevention campaign. Or if there is one, I certainly haven’t heard about it, and as a reporter I would or should have. No crisis rehabilitation center. Nothing. We have a lot of well intentioned people but we just need some direction.

I know that many local mental health professionals and survivors of suicide have tried to get things going for a long time. I think everyone got stuck on a place to start. Luckily, I can report that Anaconda will soon have a suicide support group. ‘Smelter City Strong: Suicide Survivors Support Alliance’ will be held Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. at the Copper Village Museum and Arts Center starting Nov. 12.

It’s a start, and a resource for people who have been affected. Mental health professionals are welcome to attend, of course, but the focus of the group is peer support and connection. In my opinion, however, to make a serious dent in addiction, mental health stability and suicide prevention, we need a crisis rehabilitation center. And coincidentally, there’s a wonderful model to mirror and that is Missoula’s RiverWalk Crisis House.

“At Riverwalk, up to 16 people can be looked after at once by a team of dedicated and trained healthcare workers. These professionals include nurses, mental health professionals, and more. They make sure everyone gets the care they need for up to 24 hours. They also help connect people to other resources in the community that can help them more. The center has a welcoming space for family members to visit and places for cultural and spiritual activities. This helps everyone feel better and costs less than going to a hospital emergency room when not really needed,” their website said.

It’s a perfect idea and ticks a whole lot of prevention and resource boxes. Now, where would we put it? I have a few ideas but this one will take some work.

I called RiverWalk and asked how they pay for the center and they explained it was done through very accessible grants, and certainly not out of the realm of possibility. They even offered to help us with the model while we we’re getting started.

So here’s my pitch. 

Yes, there are clearly things that can be done to help minimize suicide like prevention presentations, peer support networks, and pushing locks on firearms which would certainly help. However, I also believe that impulsivity is at the root of many completed suicides. Oftentimes, a person in crisis feels hopeless with no one to turn to and chooses a permanent solution to a temporary problem. This center would give them a place to safely restabilize. They’d be provided with a discharge plan including follow-up services as well. 

If someone is homeless and freezing, they’re in crisis. If someone is off their meds and struggling, they’re in crisis. If someone is experiencing trauma or suicidal, they’re in crisis. “Crisis” is a broad term, so how can we not have a facility that addresses crisis in its entirety?