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A new crisis counseling hotline is now available to aid Montanans who are struggling with their mental health due to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Steve Bullock announced earlier this month that the new crisis counseling hotline, which is funded by a $1.6 million federal grant, is available. “We know Montanans in every corner of the state have been impacted by the virus in various ways and I’m pleased this hotline is available to support anyone in need,” Bullock said in a news release. “I encourage Montanans to use the hotline now to receive confidential assistance and get connected to the appropriate services in their community.”

The Montana Crisis Recovery hotline is funded and available for at least the next nine months, according to the news release. Montanans in need of crisis counseling can call (877) 503-0833 to receive free and confidential counseling services from trained crisis counselors Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) partnered with Disaster and Emergency Services, to pursue the grant to address the growing need for mental health services. “As COVID-19 cases rise across Montana, the impacts on mental health can be devastating to a wide range of the population,” Zoe Barnard, DPHHS Addictive and Mental Disorders Division Administrator said in the news release. “A crisis counselor can offer an empathetic ear and provide support.”

The news release states, “counselors on the other end of the line will be there to listen without judgement, offer emotional support, comfort, console and offer information and education on stress and coping and direct callers to additional support and community resources.” As of right now, there will be 12 trained crisis counselors working on the phone lines. Efforts are currently underway to recruit and hire two tribal members.

The grant is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Other mental health resources that are already available to Montanans include the Montana Crisis Text Line, Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Montana Warmline and Thrive by Waypoint Health.

The Crisis Text Line is available 24/7 by texting MT to 741 741; the Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 800-273-TALK (8255); the Warmline is available Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday noon to 9 p.m. at (877) 688-3377; and information about Thrive by Waypoint Health, an online cognitive behavioral therapy for those actively working to manage anxiety and stress, is available at https://thriveformontana.com.