Supporting Our Veterans and Protecting Young Minds

At the April 2026 Local Advisory Committee (LAC) meeting, we heard from community partners tackling two urgent issues: veteran suicide prevention and the growing concern over screen time’s impact on youth mental health. Both conversations reminded us why local partnerships matter — and how each of us has a role to play.

Suicide Prevention for Montana Veterans

Todd Lester and Katie West from the Montana VA joined us to share sobering data and a message of hope. In 2024, Montana lost 20 veterans to suicide. In 2025, that number rose to 62 veteran deaths from all causes. So far in 2026, the state has already lost 8 to 10 veterans.

Todd and Katie also noted that current world events — particularly ongoing conflicts — can be especially triggering for veterans who served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other combat zones, making outreach and connection more important than ever.

The scale of the challenge has grown alongside the need: Montana’s VA now serves the largest catchment area in the lower 48 states, providing care to roughly 65,000 veterans through more than 30 programs statewide. To meet veterans where they are, the VA has built a network of 18 community-based clinics along with telehealth support, reducing the need to travel long distances to Helena for care. A range of free mobile apps are also available to any veteran looking for additional support tools.

Importantly, VA care today is designed around the “whole person” — not just physical health, but mental health, recreation therapy, physical and occupational therapy, massage, mindfulness, and more.

Todd and Katie were candid about the barriers many veterans face. Stigma, paperwork, and the complexity of government processes can make veterans hesitant to seek care, especially for mental health needs. Everyone arrives at a different stage of readiness. But the pattern they see again and again is encouraging: once veterans connect with services and feel supported, they often become some of the strongest advocates for care in their communities.

One important reminder: by federal law, any veteran who requests care through the VA must receive it — they cannot be turned away or denied services. And through community partnerships, veterans can also be referred to care in community or private settings when needed, based on availability and timeliness.

We’re also excited to share that a new Vet Center will soon open in Bozeman, bringing services even closer to home for local veterans and their families.

Phone-Free Schools: Protecting Kids’ Brains, One Policy at a Time

Kirsten Smith and Johanna Bertken brought forward an equally important conversation about the Bozeman School District’s move to limit screen time and social media access during the school day.

Their presentation walked through the science behind the decision: how screens engage the brain’s dopamine and reward systems, and the effects that pattern of stimulation can have on the developing minds of youth and adolescents. The data was striking enough that a full presentation deck will be shared with LAC members for further review.

The ask that followed was direct — the district is looking to LAC to help support an advisory committee focused on phone use and screen time in schools. This committee’s role will be to help parents and the broader community navigate what are, for many families, genuinely new norms around technology and childhood.

The district is now looking for a team of 5 to 6 community members to join this advisory committee and help guide the work going forward.

How You Can Help

Both initiatives depend on community involvement:

• For veterans: share information about VA services, resources, and the new Bozeman Vet Center with veterans in your life. Reducing stigma starts with everyday conversations.
• For phone-free schools: if you’re interested in joining the screen time advisory committee, or want a copy of the youth mental health presentation, reach out to your LAC contact.

Thank you to Todd, Katie, Kirsten, and Johanna for bringing these critical issues to our table — and to everyone doing the work to keep our veterans and our kids healthy and supported.