ACCESS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Access to behavioral services remains a growing challenge across Southwest Montana, with increasing demand for counseling, psychiatric care, prescription management, and crisis response.
Data Snapshot
Access to behavioral health care continues to be one of the most pressing needs in Southwest Montana. Community members described challenges finding mental health support, navigating insurance barriers, and accessing providers who accept insurance. These gaps affect people across age groups and can make it harder for individuals and families to stay healthy, housed, employed, and connected to support.
Reported insurance issues
More than one in four needs assessment respondents reported specific insurance issues in the past year, including challenges related to health care access and affordability.
Disagreed that adult mental health help is available
In HRDC’s needs assessment, 21.5% strongly disagreed and 31.6% disagreed that help is available for the mental health needs of adults.
Disagreed that adult physical health help is available
Respondents were more likely to view physical health support as available than mental health support, but many still identified gaps in access.
Insurance does not always mean care is available
Many respondents noted the lack of mental health providers who accept insurance, creating a barrier even for people who are already covered.
What Our Needs Assessment Tells Us
Behavioral health access depends on more than community need. It also depends on a stable provider network, sustainable reimbursement rates, insurance coverage, crisis response options, and local services that can meet people before needs escalate.
Providers need sustainable funding to keep services open
Statewide reporting shows continued concern that Medicaid funding decisions could affect behavioral health providers and the services available to Montanans.
Coverage does not always equal access
Community members described difficulty finding mental health providers who accept insurance, leaving people with limited options even when they are insured.
Communities need care before, during, and after crisis
Effective behavioral health systems include prevention, outpatient services, mobile crisis response, inpatient care, follow-up support, and long-term stabilization.
Why Access Is Fragile
HRDC’s role in behavioral health is rooted in partnership, capacity building, and addressing the conditions that affect well-being. Through collaboration with the Gallatin Behavioral Health Coalition and partners across the region, HRDC supports efforts to build a stronger, more connected behavioral health system.
Lighthouse Ranch
Lighthouse Ranch is an example of what regional collaboration can make possible. HRDC played a key early role in advancing the project by supporting land acquisition, contributing philanthropic expertise, and helping secure significant grant and foundation funding.
Learn more about Lighthouse Ranch →Supporting the behavioral health continuum
HRDC participates in community-wide efforts to expand access to care, strengthen partnerships, and connect behavioral health work to housing, family stability, shelter, and basic needs.
New services are being added
The Gallatin Behavioral Health Coalition reported seven behavioral health services added in 2025, including youth and family outpatient services at Lighthouse Ranch and Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.
Partnership helps unlock resources
The Gallatin Behavioral Health Coalition reported nearly $10.9 million in collaborative funding secured in 2024–2025, including funding connected to Lighthouse Ranch fundraising efforts supported by multiple regional partners.
What HRDC and Partners Are Doing
HRDC’s needs assessment showed a clear gap between physical health access and mental health access. Community members were much more likely to say help is available for adult physical health needs than for adult mental health needs.
More than half disagreed that help is available
Only 27.4% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that help is available for the mental health needs of adults, while 53.1% disagreed or strongly disagreed.
Physical health access was viewed more positively
50.2% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that help is available for adult physical health needs, compared to 27.4% for mental health needs.
“Very lacking in mental health support”
“We, like everywhere else in Montana, are very lacking in mental health support and I’ve experienced the pitfalls of our mental health care first hand.”
