Newly launched project aims at breaking down stigmas of mental health issues

Jan. 30--Breaking down the social stigma of mental health issues in Butte is high on the list of the new Project Aware case managers.

Linking services and building safer schools are other goals of the Butte school district's hires, who gave a run-down of the multi-layered program to the suicide prevention coalition on Thursday.

"Our goal is to build a bridge between school and home services and mental health needs for kids," said Ashley Choquette.

She is one of four new case managers headquartered at the Butte High Career Center, 1050 S. Montana St., formerly the Webster-Garfield Building. They're funded by a grant. (See info box.)

As Butte school district employees, Choquette and her colleagues shared with 25 healthcare, law enforcement and education experts their blueprint for making Butte kids safe and healthier.

"By empowering the community, we've learned how to reach out," said case manager Kaylee Reynolds.

Project Aware case managers will serve as a liaison among schools, parents and community services across the board and at all levels in the school district.

They will train school staff in Youth Mental Health First Aid, a suicide prevention program aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues, warning signs and early-childhood trauma.

They will visit all schools regularly, make bi-monthly home visits, assist in Olweus Bullying Prevention Program training and help create treatment plans for identified students who need extra support.

"We don't diagnose anyone," Reynolds told the coalition. "We're trained to recognize symptoms and make referrals."

Case manager Cassie O'Leary expects to see long-term benefits by implementing the PAX Good Behavior Game, a teacher tool to reduce criminal and deviant behaviors and prevent substance abuse.

Starting next fall, the Signs of Suicide, or SOS, program will help middle- and high-school students understand the relationship between depression and suicide and teach peer intervention when a friend is at-risk.

With the coalition's help, Project Aware can touch all segments of the community.

For Sara Richards, a Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology accountant and 2004 Butte High graduate, Project Aware looks promising, but she's anxious to see action.

"Connections are the most important part of prevention," said Richards. "I think they have a lot of good ideas, but execution is key."

Richards self-identifies as "a survivor of family suicide and attempt." She shared thoughtful insight during the Project Aware unveiling.

"I've been there," Richards said, in light of the cluster of four teen suicides a year ago that instigated the formation of the coalition.

Having previously worked at Community Health Department, Richards added that she's especially concerned about "ethnic, low-income" Tech students receiving proper mental health services.

On campus, Richards keeps a close eye on such issues affecting college students -- especially in the wake of the on-campus suicide on Monday of a 19-year-old male from Belgrade.

The suicide has shaken the Tech community to another level of awareness, said Paul Beatty, dean of students and a coalition member.

"We're still trying to put the pieces together and support the parents," said Beatty. "We've been dealing with this just the past two days. We've been visiting with counselors and looking at where we go from here, starting with protocol and prevention efforts."

While Beatty said he's unsure how Tech will engage with Project Aware, the college received much support from the community at large following the suicide. He heard from Karen Sullivan, BSB health director who leads the coalition; the Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian and the University of Montana, which had a student suicide on Jan. 23.

At any rate, it's apparent that local experts are pooling their resources for a healthier, safer Butte.

"We've had a lot of ideas but we have a long way to go," said O'Leary. "We get to build this from scratch for Butte -- let's build something that works."

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