The Issue:
Montana frequently ranks at or near the highest in the nation in occurrences of suicide. As any school administrator or parent in Montana knows, our young people are particularly at risk when we consider access to care, related risk taking behavior such as binge drinking, access to weapons, and high rates of depression.
Suicide statistics for Native Americans are far more acute and often underreported. American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations have the highest rates of suicide in the United States: 1.5 times higher than the average US population.
Given these dramatic statistics, the Montana Safe Schools Center (MSSC) aims to create a comprehensive community systems of care in order to reduce suicide by implementing extensive, research-based and culturally-appropriate interventions.
What We Offer:
IERS and the MSSC provide suicide-prevention-related trainings that reduce risk factors and improve protective factors to schools, mental and public health agencies, and community groups on the following interventions and topics: