Suicide has remained a constant public health issue in Montana for the past thirty years. Since 2005, Montana has ranked number one in the nation for the rate of suicide, nearly doubling the national average.

Based on data cited in the 2008 Revised Department of Public Health and Human Services “Montana Strategic Suicide Prevention Plan,” over 32,000 suicides occur each year nationwide, setting the national average at 11.05 suicides per 100,000 people. Montana’s rate of suicide is approximately 19.5. Strikingly, 45 percent of counties in Montana rank at or above the 80th percentile of the national average.

Several factors contribute to the prevalence of suicide in Montana. High rates of domestic violence, sexual assault and substance abuse in Montana heighten the risk of suicide. Stigma surrounding depression and other mental illnesses, and the lack of mental health services in our rural state, also have an impact. In addition, prevention efforts have been inadequate due to poor statewide coordination.

As these facts are very real and troubling to Montana residents, NASW has chosen to focus on the suicide issue in the upcoming Conference on November 14 and 15 at the Red Lion Colonial in Helena. Entitled “Striving for Last Place: Preventing Suicide by Instilling Hope,” this year’s conference hopes to raise awareness about suicide, its warning signs and how to intervene, dispel myths and stigmas surrounding suicide, and increase the knowledge and skills of professionals working with at-risk individuals. The Conference will also discuss generational and cultural issues and address community specific issues, including “survivor” and tribal perspectives.

The Suicide Prevention Conference boasts five keynote presenters, including a Survivors Panel discussing the personal impact of suicide. The event also features 20 breakout sessions given by suicide prevention experts from Montana and across the country, providing a unique experience for those who attend, as well as the opportunity for prevention programs to collaborate and build on each other’s successes.

—Submitted by Marae Hart, MMHA VISTA Volunteer, assisting NASW-MT with the Suicide Prevention Conference

Candidate Endorsements Announced by PACE

Listed below are the candidates who have received endorsement by NASW-MT PACE for the November election:
1) Christine Kaufmann, SD 41
2) Mike Menahan, HD 82
3) Cheryl Steenson, HD 08
4) Laura McGee, HD 18
5) Sue Dickenson, HD 25
6) Steve Bolstad, HD 24
7) Brady Wiseman, HD 65

—Submitted by Vonnie Brown, PACE Secretary/Treasurer

President's Message

In September your NASW-MT Board met in its annual retreat. The Board was focused and energized for the new year. Upon review of the Strategic Plan, decisions were made on the priorities to be addressed through our committee structure and staff. The priority areas are increasing membership recruitment, retention and involvement; continuing education; the upcoming legislative year; and building coalitions. The Membership Committee and Executive Director have put into action a monthly process of contacting new and lapsed members. A plan is in place to recruit students from the University of Montana, Walla Walla University, and Salish Kootenai College. The committee is also working on developing a plan to recruit new members, be they BSW’s, MSW’s, or LCSW’s. We are constantly looking for volunteers to serve on the Board or Committees. Please get involved. We covet your involvement and energy to make NASW-MT work for you.

—Submitted by David Segerstrom, President, NASW-MT

Montana NASW Board of Directors 2008 Election Results

President Elect – Margaret Watson, DSW, LCSW

Current Employment: Outpatient Psychotherapist, Western Montana Mental Health Center, Missoula Adult Mental Health Services.

NASW Participation: SW Region Representative for NASW-MT, 2000-2004.

Other Activities/Community Involvement: Treasurer, Board of Missoula Psychoanalytic Study Group; Board Member 1987-93 & Board Chair 1991-92, Conard House, Inc., San Francisco, CA.

Vision Statement: NASW-MT is the vehicle through which its members work, in tandem with the national organization, to 1) advance the interests of its members for improved recognition, reimbursement, and working conditions, 2) foster ethical, competent practice, and 3) carry out the commitment of the profession to advocate for societal provision of basic human needs and empowerment of the poor and minorities.

Vice President – William Evans, MSW, LCSW

Current Employment: Clinical social worker in private practice, Helena.

NASW Participation: Bill is a Past President of NASW-MT. More recently, he has been serving on the Continuing Education Committee, and is the newly appointed Chair of the Social Action & Policy Committee.

Other Activities/Community Involvement: Member of his Volunteer Fire Department.

Vision Statement: Develop closer relationships with Montana’s colleges of social work. Workshops/political action and donations to candidates who have a social conscience. Advocate for jobs for Montana BSWs and MSWs.

North Central Region Representative – Tim Dallacqua, MSW, LCSW

Current Employment: New Directions Center, State Probation and Parole Department, Great Falls.

NASW Participation: Tim has been an NASW member since 1979.

Other Activities/Community Involvement:

Vision Statement: My vision is to work collaboratively within NASW and with others in the community to improve the availability of social services within our state and provide education within the community to increase awareness of mental health and social work issues.

South Central Region Representative – Colleen Crane, MSW, LCSW

Current Employment: Self-employed in Bozeman.

NASW Participation: Currently serving as South Central Representative for NASW-MT.

Other Activities/Community Involvement:

Vision Statement: My vision for NASW is to continue recruiting new members for MT-NASW. Members are the core of any organization and are important to the longevity of MT-NASW. I would like to continue to support bringing in innovative and forward thinking speakers for conferences, and encourage local members to meet and assist each other in their work as social workers.

Southwest Region Representative – Eran Fowler, MSW

Current Employment: Program Director, Poverello Inc. – The Joseph Residence at Maclay Commons, Missoula.

NASW Participation: Eran joined NASW in 2001, and has been a member continuously since 2005.

Other Activities/Community Involvement: Eran has served on and chaired several committees including Youth Taking Flight, the At Risk Housing Coalition (chaired the sub-action committee), and the Transitional Housing Roundtable. While in my graduate program I acted as the student representative of the University Evaluation Committee. Activities include: volunteer time to AWARE Inc., Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Missoula, the Poverello Inc., Casey Family Programs (teaching life skills courses) and the Youth Taking Flight Collaborative in addition to charitable giving to the United Way of Missoula County.

Vision Statement: To increase participation and membership in the Southwestern Region; to identify the needs of the Southwestern Region; and to represent these needs on a statewide and national level. Specifically, I hope to increase membership locally by reaching out to practicing social workers and students about the value of the membership in the organization through outreach and education.

University of Montana Student Representative – Aleece Lahr, BA Psychology

Current Employment: Case Manager, Florence Crittenton Home, Helena.

NASW Participation: Aleece is a new member of NASW-MT.

Other Activities/Community Involvement: Involved in fundraising activities throughout the community for individuals and/or families who have been affected by chronic illness and/or have sustained injuries from accidents. She also assists the West Valley and Lewis and Clark County Fire Departments in their annual Easter egg hunt at the Masonic Home in Helena.

Vision Statement: The future of NASW-MT involves endless possibilities of change and empowerment to bring a more qualitative life to all. NASW-MT will work to create the best possible life for all through endorsing the profession of social work and requiring social workers to uphold their ethical responsibilities as professionals, as well as keeping in sight the rights of clients.

Walla Walla University Student Representative – Twila Costigan, BSW, ACSW

Current Employment: AFS Program Manager with Intermountain Childrens Home and Services, Helena.

NASW Participation: Member of NASW since 1982.

Other Activities/Community Involvement: MT State Foster/Adoptive Parent Association; Big Sky Foster/Adoptive Parent Association; Catholic Campaign for Human Development; Helena Women’s Softball League; Bill Roberts Women’s Golf League; Music Minister for St Mary Catholic Community 1984-current; Cursillo/Journey; Walk to Emmaus Community.

Vision Statement: I see NASW-MT developing a program to support BSW students to secure their MSW degrees. I see NASW as a strong advocate in a movement to integrate Child Welfare and Mental Health to support foster and adoptive placements of abused and neglected children and prevent foster care and adoptive disruptions.

—Submitted by Marianne Moon, Chair of the Nominations and Leadership Committee

Membership Committee Update

The Membership Committee members are: Mary Jo Barrett, Chair; Cindy Jensen; Tammy Clark; Diane Arkava; Harriett Hilario; Karen Emerson; Eran Fowler; Tim Dallacqua; Colleen Crane; and Tondy Baumgartner. The committee is working on making in-person contact with all new and renewing members, reinstated, and lapsed members. In addition to this, we are visiting college campuses to recruit new members and coordinating with regional representatives to increase networking within each region. We have created literature to recruit new members, in which we identify and promote the benefits of membership. The result? Membership in NASW MT has increased from a low of 439 at the end of February to our present 475! This represents an 8% increase! The Membership Committee’s achievement is particularly noteworthy as NASW membership, nationally, has declined.

—Submitted by Mary Jo Barrett, Membership Committee Chair

Eastern Region Meeting Update

Calling all Members of NASW–MT EASTERN REGION!

As the Eastern Region Representative I invite each of you to come and participate in our in service meetings. When you attend an in service you have the opportunity to learn about Current Issues, Contribute to Discussions, Network and earn CEU’s. When you participate you make a difference in the future of Social Work.

Paula Wallace Region Representative; Phone 208-5792h or email (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Time to Mark your Calendars and Plan to attend.

All meeting will be held at Walla Walla Campus, Billings, MT, 1st Wednesday of each month.
2520 5th Ave. South; 406-254-9907

November 5th 11:30 – 1 pm; Bring your lunch
Guest speaker: Rhonda Stennerson
Topic: The Matrix model.

December 3rd—Video, Patrick Karnes, Out of the Shadows
Potluck celebration; Come and get to know your fellow social workers.

Each program you attend, you earn 1.5 CEU’s. These services are provided free of charge for NASW members. Non-Members may receive CEU’s for $5.00/in service.

Committee members NEEDED!!!!
Volunteer to be on the phone tree for the Eastern Region, NASW Montana Chapter.

—Submitted by Paula Wallace, Eastern Region Representative

Bozeman Area Meeting Schedule

Bozeman Area NASW Meetings for November and December 2008 are:

November 14th with Karen Smalley MSW. Presenting on dealing with depression during the holidays. Location is at NASW Member Mary Bardone’s house. Please contact Colleen for directions.

December 12th with Connie Mysliik-McFadden, MSW, LCSW. Presenting on Pathworks. Location will be at The Bozeman Public Library. Please contact Colleen with any questions at 570-0829.

—Submitted by Colleen Crane, South Central Region Representative

Southwest Region Meetings and Events

Southwest Regional meetings are held the last Tuesday of every month at the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center, located at 519 S. Higgins in Missoula MT.

Meetings in November and December have been canceled due to their proximity to the upcoming holidays. Meetings will resume January 27, 2009. A guest presenter is pending. A detailed agenda will be mailed out to regional members prior to the meeting.

—Submitted by Eran Fowler, SW Region Representative