HELENA, Mont. — As communities across the country recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, Friends of the Children–Western Montana is expanding its services to address what it describes as an urgent need for youth mental health support.
The organization has launched an in-house behavioral health program aimed at meeting the growing mental health needs of children and families facing the greatest obstacles. Friends of the Children–Western Montana said the program is designed to provide trauma-informed services.
“At Friends of the Children–Western Montana, we recognize that mental health is foundational to a child’s ability to learn, grow, and thrive,” said Ben Davis, Executive Director. “By combining trusted, consistent mentorship with behavioral healthcare, we’re delivering a holistic model that helps children heal from trauma and build the resilience they need to succeed.”
The following was sent out by Friends of the Children–Western Montana:
As communities across the country recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, Friends of the Children–Western Montana is highlighting the urgent need for youth mental health support by expanding its innovative, trauma-informed services. The organization has launched an in-house behavioral health program designed to meet the growing mental health needs of children and families facing the greatest obstacles.
The program integrates evidence-based therapy directly into Friends–Western Montana’s long-term, relationship-based mentoring model. Each child is paired with a salaried, professional mentor for 12+ years—no matter what—and now also receives access to trauma-informed, on-site therapy in a safe and supportive environment. Designed to reduce barriers to care, these behavioral health services are provided at no cost to families, and transportation is available to ensure consistent access for children who might otherwise go without support.
“At Friends of the Children–Western Montana, we recognize that mental health is foundational to a child’s ability to learn, grow, and thrive,” said Ben Davis, Executive Director. “By combining trusted, consistent mentorship with behavioral healthcare, we’re delivering a holistic model that helps children heal from trauma and build the resilience they need to succeed.”
Montana continues to face a significant youth mental health crisis. The state has the second highest rate of children experiencing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in the nation, with 22.6% of children experiencing two or more ACEs—early trauma that can have lasting impacts on mental health, learning, and long-term wellbeing.
Data from the Montana Office of Public Instruction’s most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows that 35% of 7th and 8th graders reported feeling sad or hopeless, and 22% said they had seriously considered suicide within the past 12 months. Closer to home, Missoula County’s suicide rate is 21.3 per 100,000—higher than the national average—and the county ranks third in Montana for substance abuse deaths.
“Children in our program have often experienced multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences before the age of five,” said Kelsey Adcock, LCSW, Lead Therapist. “Even after just a few sessions, we’ve seen young people begin to develop language for their emotions and tools to self-regulate. These moments may seem small, but they’re powerful indicators of healing—and they’re made possible by the consistency and trust mentors and therapists build with each child.”
Friends–Western Montana is the only chapter in the national Friends of the Children network to operate an in-house behavioral health clinic as part of its core model. The program currently offers weekly individual therapy group sessions that foster connection and shared learning, with plans to offer future family-based therapy to support whole-family healing and stability.
“Montana’s mental health crisis requires bold, sustained solutions,” said Davis. “We’re proud to be one of the few organizations addressing this need not just by treating symptoms, but by investing in long-term, transformational relationships.”
###
Friends of the Children Western Montana is an independent chapter of the Friends of the Children National Network. The western Montana chapter was established in 2021 and partners with families to break cycles of generational poverty and trauma for children who are facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with professional mentors from kindergarten through high school graduation, for 12+years no matter what. To learn more, visit friendswesternmt.org or watch this introductory video about our program.