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 counseling, and intervention 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 counseling groups are developed and facilitated by licensed providers 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 Counseling
These 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.
Counseling groups are open to 10-12 people per group.
Intervention Trainings
Intervention trainings teach people about suicide risk factors, ways to recognize warning signs in themselves or others, and strategies for supporting someone in distress.
Many people in crisis can’t or won’t take action to get life-saving support. When more community members are trained and ready to identify and support people at risk, lives are saved.
Workshops are always free, but space may be limited.
Pilot Programs
Male Veterans in the Gallatin Valley
This pilot program will provide veterans with consistent counseling and access to a licensed provider, and help overcome in-group stigma regarding mental health.
We are also partnering with local veteran-focused nonprofits and state and federal programs to connect veterans with other resources that support their and their family members’ mental health.
Our new “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 additional bilingual services in the community.
Future Programs
These two programs offered through “stronger Than Silence” are just the beginning. These two pilot programs will provide important information to help us launch more programs designed specifically for other at-risk population groups. In the future, we hope to launch programs for:
Female veterans
The LGBTQ community
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 future goals for supporting more Montanans, reach out to Rachel Caldwell, Executive Director, at rachel@sufferoutloud.org.