Moving Montana Forward, Together
The Issues...
Mental Health Services
Prioritizing the mental health crisis in Montana is not just a necessity—it is a moral imperative. I have seen first-hand while working in the field of clinical social work that when mental health services are underfunded, the impact on Montana communities is devastating.
Montana faces a reality where suicide rates are consistently among the highest in the nation. For the past 40 years Montana has ranked in the top 5 for suicide rates in the nation. In 2023, Montana’s youth suicide rate was triple the national average, and suicide remains the number one cause of preventable death in Montana for children ages 10–14. We must address this crisis.
Advocacy for preventative mental health care, starting in schools, is essential. By providing students with early intervention and trauma-informed support, needs can be addressed before they escalate, setting children on a path to healthy, stable lives.
The ripple effect of this crisis is profound. For every completed suicide, there are six survivors left behind. With approximately 300 suicides in Montana every year, nearly 1,800 new survivors are added annually—each facing a risk of completing suicide that is three times higher than the general population.
There is a profound obligation to the children, friends, and families of the state to take this issue seriously. Prioritizing these services is an investment in our community but also the lives of those you love.
Education
Focusing on our schools education budget is a non-negotiable priority for Montana’s future. Schools are far more than just classrooms; they serve as a vital safety net where children can grow into healthy, happy, and well-adjusted individuals.
At the heart of this safety net are the teachers who dedicate their lives to shaping the next generation. It is imperative to continue working toward offering these professionals the competitive benefits, fair compensation, and administrative support they deserve. Attracting and retaining high-quality educators is essential to maintaining the integrity of the school system.
We cannot stand by and allow students to pay the price for a broken funding system. Montana’s youth deserve a proactive investment in their potential, not a reactive approach to budget gaps. There is a collective responsibility to protect the educational foundation that shaped current generations and will ultimately sustain the Montana so many love. For the kids, the teachers, and the communities, the time to invest is now.
Affordability
Addressing the affordability crisis is one of the most critical challenges facing Montana today. For generations, the state has been the "Last Best Place" because of a simple, unspoken promise: those who work hard, respect the land, and look out for their neighbors can build a life here.
Today, that promise is under threat. Montana is in the midst of a crisis where a lack of attainable housing and a failure to invest in the local workforce are forcing residents to leave their hometowns in search of a more affordable life. In 2026, Montana continues to grapple with some of the least affordable housing in the country, far outstripping local wages. Raising wages to meet the actual cost of living is essential to stabilizing the economy. When workers earn a living wage, it creates a positive ripple effect throughout the community: local businesses see increased spending, families experience less financial stress, and the reliance on emergency social services decreases. Investing in people ensures that the wealth generated in Montana stays in Montana.
Watching those who were raised in the state being forced out by rising costs is a heavy burden on the community. When young families, teachers, and service workers are lost, the state isn't just losing residents; it is losing the soul of Montana. Proactive steps must be taken to address affordable housing and support workers to ensure that the next generation can still afford to call this state home.
Affordable Healthcare
Affordable healthcare is a basic human necessity, not just a policy debate. Fieldwork with Montana families shows that those battling cancer are often forced to make the impossible choice between paying for rent and groceries or vital medication. This crisis is compounded by skyrocketing premiums, with many Kalispell residents seeing rate increases as high as 22%. As federal subsidy enhancements expire, net premiums for many households are rising significantly, creating a "double whammy" that has either left thousands of neighbors uninsured or in financial despair. Every Montanan has a right to affordable healthcare and deserves to be protected from the fear of financial instability when seeking medical care.
Every Montanan has a right to affordable healthcare and deserves protection from the fear of financial instability when seeking medical care. A critical component of this security is the seamless integration of mental health care into the broader healthcare system. Treating mental and physical health as inseparable ensures that patients receive holistic support, which in turn reduces the long-term community costs associated with untreated trauma and chronic stress. By protecting neighbors and offering access to comprehensive care, a stronger state is built—because healthy people are the basis of a thriving, resilient Montana.
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contact@madisonformontana.com
PO Box 272, Kalispell, MT 59903
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