Montana Warmline mental health support expands during COVID-19 response

The Department of Health and Human Services recently announced expansion of the Montana Warmline service to help support Montanans during COVID-19.

The Warmline was established in 2008 to provide telephone and online support services for people with mental illness.

"(Mental Health America) has been monitoring the line for the last few years, and has seen more callers calling in with some not getting through to a responder, so we wanted to extend our hours before COVID-19 hit," said Shellie Aune, executive director of Mental Health America of Montana, which operates the Warmline.

She said since COVID-19, the organization has seen a huge increase in callers, with 65 percent requesting resources related to COVID-19 in some way, from trying to find ways through anxiety to resources for if they get sick. The Warmline is now available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-9 p.m., and on weekends from 12-9 p.m.

"As we all try to understand this COVID-19 and what that does to us 'mentally,' isolation will play havoc on those that suffer mental illness in higher degree than those that don't," said Aune.

The Warmline website, http://www.montanawarmline.org, offers a new chat bubble feature for residents to chat with a responder during open hours. Although the Warmline is not a crisis line, Aune said they do have protocols in place to get callers in crisis to the help they're seeking.

According to Aune, the MHA is trying to get virtual groups started to talk about all types of topics, including self care, resources, bipolar and more, and hopes to have these services available within the week.

In addition to increasing funding to the Warmline, which offers pre-crisis support for individuals who many be experiencing mental illness, loneliness and sadness, the DPHHS has provided additional funding to the Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline and to Thrive, an online therapy service to help manage stress and anxiety. Combined, the DPHHS provided an additional $120,000 to these services.

Recent statistics show that Montana dropped out of the top three states for rate of suicides in 2018. From 2018-2019, the Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline saw a 43 percent increase in calls. This was the second highest increase in the country.

According to the MHA's State of Mental Health in America 2020 report, Montana ranks 39th for adults, signifying a higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care. The report measures factors such as mental illness, substance abuse, and adults experiencing mental illness who did not receive treatment or are uninsured.

Montana Crisis Text Line also provides access to mental health services. According to the DPHHS, "When a person texts the Text Line, a counselor responds within minutes and is available for any behavioral health crisis." Use of this service has also increased since its launch in 2018.

Aune invites residents to reach out the MHA to share their stories and experiences of recovery.

Montana Warmline: http://www.montanawarmline.org

Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255)

Montana Crisis Text Line: Text "MT" to 741741

Thrive by Waypoint Health: http://www.thriveformontana.com