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Kids who are bullied are more likely to experience life-long mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. They also suffer from poorer health, cognitive function, and social well-being.

Participants at the 4th Annual Beautiful Minds Walk look toward the sky Saturday after releasing balloons marked with the names of friends and family members who struggle with mental illness or have committed suicide as a result of mental illness.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness for Montana (NAMI Montana) works with and against politicians all of the time. We don’t care whether someone is a Democrat or a Republican. The real issue for our organization is whether the politician is trying to help the one-in-five Montana families affected by serious mental illnesses. In many instances, we’ll support a politician on one issue and then fight him on another. With Montana’s suicide rate repeatedly among the highest in the country, we can’t afford to be ideologues. There’s just too much at stake.

Schools that have clear policies, procedures and activities designed to prevent bullying and have supportive staff and student organizations can be effective in reducing verbal and physical harassment. These kinds of positive school climates are associated with reduced suicide risk and better mental health among LGBT students [5,6].  For youth to thrive in their schools and communities, they need to feel socially, emotionally, and physically safe. Schools, communities, parents, and youth have a role to play in building positive, supportive, and healthy environments for youth. Such environments promote acceptance and respect and help youth feel valued [7].