Stronger Than Silence
Addressing suicide risk factors and mental healthcare gaps for Montanans who face the greatest barriers to mental healthcare
What Is “Stronger Than Silence?”
The “Stronger Than Silence” program reduces suicide risk by providing long-term mental healthcare for Montana’s most at-risk population groups who face the greatest barriers to mental support through long-term group support, and workshops and trainings.
It takes time to experience the positive benefits that therapy or other forms of mental healthcare deliver. But for many Montanans in the communities most affected by mental healthcare shortages or economic barriers, long-term therapy isn’t an option. “Stronger Than Silence” fills this essential but unmet need for ongoing mental healthcare for those who need it most.
Every “Stronger Than Silence” program is customized for the unique demographics, historical context, and social and cultural factors of the population group it serves; and support groups are developed and facilitated by qualified experts who have the experience needed to provide thoughtful and transformative support.
Our goal for “Stronger Than Silence” is to help cultivate supported and supportive communities.
Group Support
Support groups teach people about causes and impacts of mental health challenges; reduce stigma; and help participants and their families to manage mental health conditions.
Counseling offered through “Stronger Than Silence” connects people with consistent, ongoing mental healthcare in a group setting that fosters mental health improvement and interpersonal connection.
Workshops and Trainings
Workshops provide in-depth education and transformative experiences for people who are suffering; and intervention trainings teach people about suicide risk factors, warning signs, and support strategies for themselves and others.
Supported people support people. Our goal is to foster communities that can talk about mental health and help people in need.
Pilot Programs
Male Veterans in the Gallatin Valley
This pilot program will provide veterans with consistent mental healthcare and transformative experiences to overcome mental illness and reduce in-group stigma regarding mental health.
We are also partnering with local veteran nonprofits and state and federal programs to connect veterans with other resources that support their and their family members’ mental health.
“Stronger Than Silence” programs are launching soon.
Sign up to receive updates on these and other programs.
Spanish-Speaking Individuals in the Gallatin Valley
Bilingual mental healthcare is severely limited in Gallatin County, making it difficult or impossible for Spanish-speaking people to address their mental health needs.
In partnership with Bienvenidos, this program will connect Spanish-speaking individuals with mental healthcare while connecting people to bilingual services in the community.
Additional Programs
The two pilot programs offered through “stronger Than Silence” are just the beginning. These two pilots will provide important information to help us launch additional programs designed specifically for other at-risk population groups. These groups may include:
Female veterans
Spoused of active duty military and veterans
The LGBTQ community
Elderly individuals
People suffering from chronic illness and/or pain
Tribal communities
Postpartum mothers
In addition, our sights are set far beyond the Gallatin Valley. Our goal is to establish Suffer Out Loud chapters in communities of need across Montana, and deliver “Stronger Than Silence” and “Connected Communities” programs across our state that meet each communities’ unique needs.
If you’d like to learn more about our program goals, reach out to Rachel Caldwell, Executive Director, at rachel@sufferoutloud.org.