As Montana’s suicide rate continues to inch upward, attention is turning to what some call a broken mental health system.
The long-standing explanations of social isolation, a “cowboy up” mentality and easy access to firearms are no longer accepted as the sole drivers of the state’s suicide rate — the highest in the nation.
A new state report shows suicides rose slightly for the third consecutive year, from 225 people in 2011 to 238 people last year.
The figures are part of the newly released 2013 Vital Statistics report produced by the state Department of Health and Human Services.
“I’m disappointed, but I can’t say I’m surprised,” said Karl Rosston, Montana’s suicide prevention coordinator. “Montana isn’t alone. We’re seeing an increase in suicides nationally, too.”
People are also reading…
U.S. suicide deaths rose slightly for the fifth year, from 12.1 per 100,000 in 2010 to 12.3 per 100,000 in 2011, according to the most recent information available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Data and Statistics Fatal Injury Report.
At a rate of 23.4 deaths per 100,000 people, Montana’s suicide rate continues to be nearly twice the national average. Montana, along with Wyoming, continues to post the highest suicide rate in the nation and has for nearly four decades.
“This is a tangible indicator of a system that is really struggling,” said Matt Kuntz, executive director, National Alliance on Mental Illness Montana.
The people who need services most aren’t always able to get them because the state has experienced a confluence of mental health crises, Kuntz said.
Trying to keep up
All Montana mental health service providers have been struggling to meet demand, said DPHHS Director Richard Opper.
On at least nine occasions this year alone, Montana State Hospital Administrator John Glueckert has notified county attorneys, hospital emergency departments, mental health centers, sheriffs and peace officers that the 208-bed hospital would not accept emergency-detention patients. Such patients are considered a danger to themselves.
On those occasions Glueckert asked county attorneys, hospitals and mental health centers to “do all you can to hold referrals.” He consults with local mental health providers and law enforcement about the possibility of serving referrals in the community when it makes sense and is safe for the patient.
Though communities have been encouraged to hold referrals, “no judicially ordered patient has ever been turned away,” said Jon Ebelt, public information officer for DPHHS.
Budgeting to boost access
Aware that the Montana State Hospital is wrestling with census issues, Gov. Steve Bullock is proposing a $12 million initiative as part of his executive budget that provides funding for the full spectrum of services necessary to help ensure that Montanans struggling with mental health have access to the treatment they need. Full details will be released next month.
The initiative, which has the support of the Montana Association of Counties and the Montana League of Cities and Towns, will invest in proven and successful programs, like community mental health centers and crisis diversion services, as well as ensure Montanans needing the most acute care, like that provided at Montana State Hospital, can get the services they need when they need them, Opper said.
It is one more attempt at reducing the state’s suicide rate. Bullock signed into law legislation that created a Suicide Mortality Review Team and appointed seven members to the team.
The panel, which includes a pastor, psychologist, psychiatrist, sheriff/coroner and licensed clinical social worker, are focusing on suicide and will make recommendations to the governor to help prevent more deaths.
In late June, the panel reported 95 confirmed suicides since Jan. 1, but the team had received coroner reports on only a few of them. They'd hoped to get 100 percent participation from coroners.
“Nearly every Montanan has felt the impacts of a loved one ending their life," Bullock said. “Our state’s suicide rate is too high to be ignored. Through the Suicide Review Team, we’ve taken important first steps toward identifying and addressing the reasons for our state’s suicide rate, but we must do more to ensure that no matter where you live in Montana you have access to quality mental health treatment.”
