Great Falls organizations come together to Stop the Stigma around mental health and addiction

GREAT FALLS— In an effort to open up the conversation surrounding mental health and addictive disorders, Great Falls community members and organizations came together three years ago to form Stop the Stigma, an annual weeklong series of events to educate the community about the myths surrounding mental health and addictive disorders, which overlook the incredible strength and resilience of people recovering from these issues.

This year’s event series will be hosted at Great Falls College MSU and the University of Providence and is presented by Alliance for Youth, Rocky Mountain Treatment Center, Alluvion Health, Great Falls Public Schools, Cascade County Substance Abuse Prevention Alliance, University of Providence, Associated Students of Great Falls College MSU and Great Falls College MSU.

“The goal of this event is to educate our students and the community about mental health and addictive disorders, to get the conversation going and hopefully lessen the stigma about seeking help when you need it,” said Elfie Neber, psychology faculty at Great Falls College MSU.

Stop the Stigma runs from October 1 through October 4 with the following events held throughout the week:

• Oct. 1 – 11 a.m. outside the main entrance to Great Falls College MSU: “Chalk Out Stigma.” The Associated Students of Great Falls College MSU will host a Chalk Out Stigma in conjunction with the Office of Student Engagement and Student Organizations. This event will give participants an opportunity to share messages through sidewalk chalk about debunking the myths, provide support and encouragement regarding the stigma around addiction and mental health.
• Oct. 1 – Noon in Heritage Hall at Great Falls College MSU: “Community Café” Why is substance abuse impacting families and endangering our children? Join us in having thoughtful and productive discussions around this issue that deeply impacts everyone in our community. Refreshments will be provided by the Associated Students of Great Falls College MSU.
• Oct. 1 –7 p.m. at University of Providence Theater: “Actions Speak Louder.” Co-star of the acclaimed basketball documentary NEVER TOO LATE and Hall of Fame athlete, Ryan Wetzel, brings you into his world of trials and tribulations, connecting to his audience with heartfelt reality of the unexpected obstacles life can deliver at times. Presentation is geared towards student athletes. Refreshments will be provided by the University of Providence.

  “With suicide more prevalent than ever before, it is time to reach out and breakdown the barriers of asking for help,” said Ryan Wetzel, keynote speaker. “It is crucial that we remind ourselves that we are all in this together. I believe in the notion that if we work together as a team, a supportive non-judgmental society, we will reduce the loss to suicide!”

• Oct. 3 – 7 p.m. in Heritage Hall at GFC MSU: “Stand Up to Stigma.” From LA to Virginia & back to Big Sky Country…join Casey Ayers as she shares her successes, struggles and the downright insanity of addiction…all with her unique blend of wit and wisdom. Refreshments will be provided by the Rocky Mountain Treatment Center.

On Friday October 4 from 9 a.m. to noon, there will be a clinical training, held in Heritage Hall at GFC MSU, for mental health professionals to earn Continuing Education Credit (CEU). Shelley Andrus, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, will speak to The Neuroscience Behind Addiction covering brain basics, neurons, brain chemistry and neuro transmission, how alcohol and drugs change brain chemistry and what we can do about it. Participants will need to register online with Event Brite as space is limited for this free conference.

For more information on the CEU opportunity, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-neuroscience-behind-addiction-ceu-training-opportunity-tickets-66925531065?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

All events listed above are FREE and open to the public.

For media requests or more information, please contact:

Taylor Alexander
Communications and Marketing Manager
Phone: 406-771-4314
[email protected]

Dr. Elfie Neber
Psychology Faculty
Great Falls College MSU
Phone: 406.771.4325
[email protected]