About 164,000 Montanans Have a Mental Health Condition and Many Need Care

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Congressman Greg Gianforte spoke on the House floor about mental health care in Montana. Here is what he had to say.

“According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about 164,000 Montanans have a mental health condition,” Gainforte said. “Unfortunately, mental health care is not available to many Montanans. In fact, over 50% of Montanans live in an area where there is a shortage of mental health professionals.”

Back in April, Giantforte participated in round-table discussion in Billings. He brought together providers, leaders, and advocates to discuss how we can improve mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and suicide prevention.

“They told me about the challenges they face to provide care and their promising progress,” Gianforte said. “They told me about resources, like telemedicine, that could improve treatment and help fill coverage gaps. Individuals impacted by a mental illness can lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Access to treatment, though, is critical.”

Gianforte believes action must be taken. He urged lawmakers to work together toward bipartisan solutions to address mental health care. He says the health of our communities depends on it.