Welcome to the 2025 Montana Behavioral Health Conference!

Join us for a day filled with insightful discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities at the Delta Hotels Helena Colonial. The Conference is sponsored by Montana DPHHS and delivered by NAMI Montana and a conference planning committee. This in-person event is dedicated to addressing important issues in the field of behavioral health. Whether you are a healthcare professional, peer, family member, or policy maker; this conference offers valuable insights and connections. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from experts and engage in meaningful conversations. Register now to secure your spot!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22 — Pre‑Conference Evening

5:00–8:00 PM
Registration (Lobby)

6:00–8:00 PM
Lincoln Art Show & Reception

8:00–10:00 PM
Let’s Play Bingo! (Community Social)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23 — Day 1

8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Registration

9:00 AM
Silent Auction Opens (Closes at end of Thursday banquet)

9:00–9:15 AM
Welcome Remarks — NAMI Montana & NAMI Helena

9:15–9:25 AM
Opening — Thomas Camel, LCPC
Member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Vietnam veteran, former counselor and cultural consultant; volunteers with Missoula Veterans Court honoring veterans.

9:30–10:30 AM
General Session: Holly C. Wilcox, PhD ( Johns Hopkins)— Public Health Approaches to Suicide Prevention
Research‑informed policies, early intervention, and chain‑of‑care strategies.

10:30–10:45 AM
Networking Break

10:45–11:45 AM
General Session: Will Fruin — Normalizing Men’s Mental Health
Marine Corps veteran and VA Peer Support Specialist; podcaster and author.

12:00–12:50 PM
Lunch (included in registration)

1:00–2:00 PM
General Session: Lynn Miller (Advocates for Human Potential) — WRAP as a Tool for Recovery
How Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP) support behavioral health recovery.

2:00–2:15 PM
Networking Break

2:15–3:15 PM
General Session: Prevention Panel — Karl Rosston, LCPC & Jami Hansen

3:15–3:30 PM
Transition to Breakouts

3:30–4:30 PM
Breakout Sessions (choose one):

A. Youth Suicide Prevention Panel — Holly C. Wilcox, PhD; Karl Rosston, LCPC, Kelley Edwards, MS

B. Veterans Brain Health Panel — Mental Health & Brain Injury — Will Fruin; Tammy Kuusisto; Michele Von Choff

C. WRAP in Practice — Lynn Miller + guest speaker (TBA)

D. Behavioral Health Oversight Advisory Council — Details to come.

6:00–9:00 PM
Dinner & Awards (included in registration)
Silent auction results announced.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24 — Day 2

8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Registration

9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Silent Auction Pickup — Registration Desk

9:00–10:00 AM
General Session: Crystal Baker — Administering SAMHSA’s PATH Program in Bozeman
(Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness)

10:00–10:15 AM
Break

10:15–11:15 AM
General Session: Jen Preble, PhD — Montana’s Behavioral Health System: Where We Are & Where We Want to Go
Facilitated discussion.

11:30 AM–12:30 PM
Breakout Sessions:

A. Crisis Coordinators — Montana crisis coordinators discuss their critical role in serving Montanans in mental health crises in a variety of communities.

B. Prevention Specialists — Details come.

C. Mike McManus — Veterans Navigation Network

12:30–1:15 PM

Lunch (included in registration)

1:15 PM
Door Prize Drawing — Must be present to win

1:30 PM
Conference Adjourns