Advocacy | Montana's Peer Network

Peer Support Advocacy Needed

As we head into the last quarter of 2025. There are ample opportunities to advocate for peer support. The Montana legislature wrapped up in the spring after passing the Family Peer Support certification bill. MPN and our sister organization Family Peers for Hope worked hard on rule recommendations to the Board of Behavioral health. We expect the public comment period to open any time now with proposed rules for certification of Family Peer Supporters. This provides us with a platform for advocacy and shaping of the new profession. In the Senate, yes, we know the Federal Government is in shutdown mode, but when they return before they go back on vacation for the winter break Senate bill 1132 includes a provision for family peer support as a service for family caregivers. This needs advocacy to further develop family support.

No Shame in the Struggle

September is a month filled with awareness and reflection, particularly for those of us who have witnessed the power of recovery, resilience, and healing. As we celebrate Recovery Month, it’s a time to acknowledge the often difficult yet transformative journey individuals and families face as they overcome mental health challenges.

For me, this month holds deep meaning. As a mother of two boys and a former Family Peer Supporter, I’ve had the privilege and the heavy responsibility of helping others navigate the complexities of mental health recovery. I’ve worked with families in distress, and I’ve watched individuals confront their deepest struggles. But I’ve also seen the incredible strength, courage, and growth that recovery can bring.

Recovery is a Journey

September is Recovery Month and my last month with Montana’s Peer Network. As the Families Division branches off and becomes a separate family-run organization, Family Peers for Hope, I have been reflecting on my time with MPN and what I have learned about recovery, particularly my own.

The Ripple Effect of Kindness

As we navigate the challenges of today’s world, from political tensions to economic struggles, it’s easy to forget that the most essential part of our humanity is a simple act of kindness. On Be Kind to Humankind Week, we are gifted an opportunity not only to reflect on the value of kindness but to practice and advocate for it in our everyday lives consistently. As someone who wears multiple hats, from a peer supporter role to an advocate for social change, this week holds deeper significance.

Honoring the Heart of Parenting

Parenting is early mornings with tired eyes and late nights filled with worry. It’s asking myself, Did I say the right thing? Was I too soft? Too strict? Too distracted? Too emotional? Am I giving them enough? Am I enough? It’s making a thousand decisions a day and second-guessing at least half of them. It’s pouring from a cup that sometimes feels empty, and still showing up the next day with whatever strength I can find. Because their love keeps me going.

Raising Boys, Growing Men: A Mom’s Reflection on Mental Health

I’m a mom of boys, loud, messy, hilarious, curious, deep-feeling boys.

And if I’m honest, one of my greatest hopes, besides them eventually learning to do their laundry and clean up after themselves, is that they grow into men who feel safe being whole. Not just strong or stoic or successful. But soft when they need to be. Honest. Vulnerable. Supported.

Because here’s the truth, one I’ve heard from every mom of boys and quietly carried myself: the world still struggles to let our sons be fully human.

We tell our kids, “It’s okay to cry,” but somewhere between kindergarten and manhood, that message gets lost. Replaced by phrases like “man up,” “don’t be soft,” and “real men don’t talk about their feelings.” And those words don’t just bounce off; they sink in. They settle deep.

Awareness into Action

Reposted from Mental Health America’s Mental Health Month 2025 Planning Guide While one in five people experience a mental health condition each year, every single one of us has a mind to take care of. Furthermore, mental health is not just a personal issue—it’s a societal one. And the need for action has never been greater.This…
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Mental Health Services Uncertain

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. At least for now. I say that because with all of the federal changes one never knows. What the Department of Government Efficiency will deem inefficient is anyone’s guess. May was first established as mental health awareness month in 1949 by Mental Health America (https://mhanational.org/) the oldest mental health advocacy organization in the United States. You can take a number of mental health screenings for free on their website. They also have resources for further support. Now more than ever mental health advocates need to work to bring awareness to the importance of mental wellbeing.

My Personal Hero, My Son

April is Autism Awareness Month, a time that holds deep meaning for my family and countless others around the world. My son is almost 9 years old, and he is non-speaking. While he may not use words in the way most people do, he communicates in a hundred other beautiful, meaningful ways. I am always seeking the words for my personal hero, my son.

My Journey with ARFID

As a parent, you often hear from others about how picky toddlers can be. When my daughter turned four, we attended her annual well-child appointment. The doctor, slightly condescendingly, showed me on her hand what a healthy plate of food should look like, emphasizing the protein and vegetable ratio. She felt the need to give me this information due to my daughter’s slightly higher BMI. At almost 45 years old, I would have had to live under a rock not to know what a healthy plate should consist of. This doctor was one of three who shamed me for my daughter’s BMI rather than asking about her food intake.

Taking the Reins

As a peer supporter, I’ve seen how empowering it can be when someone takes control of their own story and their own journey toward healing. The national “I Am in Control Day” is a reminder for all of us. Whether we are supporting others or working on our own personal growth, we have the ability to take charge of our lives, make choices, and advocate for what we need. It’s a day to celebrate our strength and remind ourselves that, no matter the circumstances, we have the power to harness and create positive change.

Winter Blues

Every year as winter approaches, I start to dread the days ahead. Even before summer or fall has ended, I find myself mourning their passing while still living in those seasons. I know the days will soon grow shorter and the nights longer, and I brace myself for the arrival of the infamous “winter blues.” Whether it’s the colder weather, the lack of sunlight, or the post-holiday slump, this time of year can be particularly challenging for my mental health. As a peer supporter, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside others through difficult seasons, and I know firsthand how real and heavy these feelings can be. But the good news? We don’t have to face them alone.

The Power of Our Voices

One of the most powerful ways we can make an impact as families in our state is through advocacy, especially when we have the chance to speak directly to the lawmakers who shape policies that affect OUR lives. Legislative sessions offer a unique opportunity for our stories, experiences, and voices to be heard in a way that can create real, lasting change. And trust me, when our voices are heard in those rooms, the ripple effects can be life-changing.

HB76: Family Peer Support Certification

Family Peer Support is a trained parent or caregiver with lived experience raising a child with special healthcare needs and/or behavioral health challenges providing support to another parent or caregiver who is currently raising a child with similar healthcare needs. Family Peer Supporters provide emotional support, resources, and connection to community, helping the parent or caregiver feel less isolated, less stressed, and more hopeful. A Family Peer Supporter, because of their lived experience, can connect to another parent or caregiver in a way that few others can. The Family Peer Supporter knows what it feels like to raise a child with special healthcare needs and/or behavioral health challenges. The Family Peer Supporter knows the challenges that parents and caregivers face. They can relate to the often-overwhelming feelings of shame, blame, fear, and loss parents and caregivers experience. The Family Peer Supporter has navigated the confusing health system and has juggled multiple therapies, school meetings, doctor appointments, and other family commitments along with the needs of themselves, their child, and their family. Lived experience is the foundation of Family Peer Support. Lived experience is what makes Family Peer Support a unique service.

The role of peer support in crisis response

This is one topic I am very familiar with and have spent years advocating in Montana. Our website has specific information on various demonstration projects MPN have operated over the years. It is one of the most asked questions I get when it comes to the implementation of peer supporters. This article will attempt to provide resources, and the “how to” for implementation of peer supporters into your crisis program.

What kind of role model do I want to be today?

Today, before I act, I often ask myself what kind of role model do I want to be today? Six years ago, before I was in recovery, I never gave this much thought, or any thought really. I also didn’t realize the effect that my actions had on those around me, especially people like my nieces or nephews. I was about two years in recovery and was hanging out with my 12-year-old nephew, we were talking about life when he looked at me and said “Uncle Ty, do you remember when I wouldn’t share my taco with you one time, and you grabbed it and smashed it? You used to be mean!” I was absolutely blown away and devastated at the same time. I never realized the impact I had on him or the negative role model I was being. It was at that point in my life I decided from that point on I was going to be a positive role model for him and all the people around me.

Watching Him Stim Through Life

As a parent of a nonverbal child with autism, our journey has been a tapestry woven with both challenges and triumphs. One of the most significant threads in this tapestry has been understanding sensory processing disorder (SPD) and its profound impact on my son. SPD is often found in children on the autism spectrum and manifests in various sensitivities and reactions to sensory stimuli. By sharing our experiences, I hope not only to advocate for my son but also to raise awareness and support others who are facing similar challenges.

A Global Call to Prioritize Mental Wellbeing

Mental health has long been an overlooked aspect of overall health. However, with growing awareness, advocacy, and research, the conversation around mental health is evolving. One of the major milestones in this ongoing movement is World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10th. This day serves as a platform for advocacy, awareness, and mobilization efforts to promote mental health and to provide mental health support.

Recovery Month 2024

Every September, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) leads the nation in celebrating Recovery Month, a time dedicated to promoting awareness and understanding of mental health and substance use disorders, celebrating those in recovery, and highlighting the effective treatments available. Recovery Month has been a vital part of SAMHSA’s efforts to combat the stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders, and in 2024, the initiative continues with renewed energy and focus on the theme, “Hope, Healing, and Health.”

Navigating an Autism Diagnosis as a Parent: A Compassionate Guide

Receiving an autism diagnosis for your child can feel overwhelming, but it’s also the beginning of a journey filled with hope, learning, and growth. As a parent, you may experience a whirlwind of emotions, from confusion and fear to relief and determination. Understanding how to navigate this new path will be filled with challenges but will eventually help you to provide the best support for your child and family. Here’s a compassionate guide to help you through this journey.

Tag: Advocacy