Precision Brain Health. Recovery Support Services.

At the May 2026 Gallatin County Mental Health Local Advisory Council (LAC) meeting, members heard powerful presentations from two organizations working to advance mental health care and recovery support in Montana: NAMI’s Precision Brain Health initiative and Greater Impact.

Precision Brain Health: Bringing Better Screening and Hope to the Next Generation

Matt Kuntz introduced a presentation on Precision Brain Health, an initiative aimed at transforming how mental health conditions are diagnosed and treated. The LAC previewed a YouTube video designed for high school students, part of a growing effort — developed in partnership with Montana State University and Johns Hopkins — to bring brain health education into high school classrooms. The video will be shared publicly once finalized.

The presenter shared a deeply personal story: the loss of his brother, Chris, to suicide. That loss drove his family’s commitment to improving mental health screening, drawing inspiration from the rigorous screening protocols used by the National Guard. He emphasized that better diagnostic tools are essential to improving treatment and outcomes, and described the collaborative work underway with top researchers at MSU to better understand brain chemistry and advance precision mental health research.

A central theme of the presentation was the role of technology — sensors and algorithms that improve over time — in matching people with the right treatment at the right time. The educational videos for students are designed to introduce brain health early, helping reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and connecting young people with leading research and expertise. As he put it, the goal is to offer real hope that treatment can improve, along with a clear pathway to help when people need it most.

Attendees asked how this approach compares to current diagnostic methods. The presenter explained that today’s mental health system often relies on survey-based assessments that result in broad diagnostic labels — a blunt approach to a complex problem. Precision Brain Health aims to move beyond one-size-fits-all labels toward more individualized treatment based on a person’s unique brain type and depression subtype, using modern technology to complement — not replace — existing treatments.

When asked whether this initiative would be available beyond veterans and the VA system, the answer was a clear yes: this work is intended to benefit the broader public, not just military service members.

Learn more about Precision Brain Health and recent milestones: 2025: A Year of Precision Brain Health – Building Momentum, Not Just Promise

Greater Impact: Expanding Recovery Support Across Bozeman

Staci Anderson presented an update on Greater Impact, an organization that began in Bozeman in 2017 and expanded in 2019 to support a women’s sober living home in response to growing community need.

In November, Greater Impact opened its Resource Point Resource Center, built on the understanding that recovery cannot happen in isolation — community connection is one of the strongest predictors of successful sober living. The center offers a hub for sober activities, resource connections, and peer support from specialists with lived recovery experience, walking alongside individuals through every stage of their recovery journey.

Demand for these services has already outpaced supply. The program currently operates 21 beds and asks participants to commit to a program lasting 12 to 18 months. The model uses a high-accountability, zero-tolerance approach to substance use, with structured group activities and a step-down system that gradually reduces restrictions as individuals progress through recovery.

Greater Impact also shared several upcoming milestones:

• Licensed outpatient program launching by the end of summer
• Full clinical licensure for local addiction services targeted for August 26
• Wellness Kiosks — 24/7 centralized access points offering health education, mental health resources, and peer support, with a final location still being determined. The organization is seeking community feedback on kiosk offerings and is open to partnership opportunities. Kiosks will focus on:
  • Harm reduction
  • Health and wellness referrals
  • Stigma-free access to care

Looking ahead, Greater Impact is also developing a Family Recovery House and Recovery Point Temporary Housing, a planned 30-day transitional home for individuals awaiting an available hospital or recovery center bed.

Dr. Horn offered support in helping Greater Impact navigate treatment planning and licensure through RimRock. Ruby, an AmeriCorps member serving with Greater Impact through Community Health Corps Montana, spoke about opportunities to grow the Community Health Corps program to support future members and placement sites. Margaret also offered to connect Greater Impact with the Montana Mindfulness Project.

Learn more about Recovery Point here!

These updates reflect the ongoing collaboration among Montana organizations working to expand access to mental health care and recovery support across the state.