Virtual Therapy Montana

Accessible Virtual Therapy for Montana Residents

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that more than 234,000 Montana residents struggle with a mental health condition such as anxiety and depression. This number is more than 7-times the population of the capital city of Helena. Of added concern, is that about 53,000 Montana adults have a serious mental illness, and that nearly 17% of MT adolescents between the ages of 12-17 experience a major depressive episode each year. Without intervention, the state is headed for an especially troubling future when considering that 770,000 Montana residents live in a community that does not have enough mental health professionals. That’s a startling 70% of the entire population.

What’s the reason for the lack of adequate mental health support? The Montana Healthcare Foundation reports that this is due to combined factors. These include (but are not exclusive to) systemic financial issues, significant geographic challenges, and high rates of provider/clinician burnout. Consequently, Montana is classified as a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) which is a designation applied by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to identify and monitor U.S. regions, population groups, or facilities as having a severe lack of mental health providers. Within this shorted group of providers, are behavioral health specialists. In response, Kindbridge Behavioral Health has stepped in. We have opened our virtual doors to “Big Sky Country” with specialized counselors on standby to receive new clients.

Using Technology to Overcome Tech Addictions

A new threat to public health has infiltrated Montana over the last decade. Problematic behavior regarding engagement with web-enabled activities has compromised the wellbeing of vulnerable residents. These issues include the following:

• Problematic online gambling behavior: Recent data finds that 2.5% of Montana residents have a gambling disorder, and that MT ranks 7th among all U.S. states when it comes to the percentage of adults with gambling disorders.
• Problematic use of pornography: As with problem gambling (above) National studies suggest that up to 7% of adults meet the criteria for problematic gambling behavior, which equates 60,000 MT residents.
• Problematic online trading behavior: National studies suggest that 8% of investors meet the criteria for compulsivity regarding online trading.
• Unhealthy video gaming: National studies suggest around 3-5% of gamers experience issues with unhealthy gaming.
• Problematic online shopping behavior: National studies suggest that up to 16% of Americans struggle with unhealthy online shopping behavior. It’s estimated that 176,000 Montanans may be affected, assuming the state mirrors national averages. 

As a virtual counseling platform, Kindbridge leverages technology to treat all of the above. Counseling specific to each issue are available to any Montana resident with a smartphone, tablet, or laptop (everyone). Click or call to connect right now.

Successfully Treating Cooccurring Issues

A number of mental health concerns are comorbid with technology addictions. Whether you struggle with one or more of these as cooccurring (w/ problem tech use) issues or they are standalone concerns, we will help.

Anxiety	ADHD
Bipolar Disorder	Chronic Anger + Irritability
Depression	OCD
PTSD	Substance Use Disorder