Black mental health access in Montana
Status
Data pending expert review
We were unable to confirm a primary-source race-stratified figure for in this state from the usual CDC WONDER / Census / KFF feeds. Our editorial team reviews this monthly; the page will publish the number as soon as the upstream dataset reports it with sufficient statistical reliability.
What this means for Black residents
The mental health access figure for Black residents of Montana varies by year and reporting cell. See the SAMHSA NSDUH + HRSA NHSC dataset for the latest.
Black adults are less likely than white adults to receive mental health treatment when they have a diagnosable condition — a gap that reflects cost, stigma, and the severe underrepresentation of Black mental health professionals (under 5% of US psychologists identify as Black, per APA workforce data). In Montana, the state-actionable levers are workforce pipeline investment (HBCU-based graduate training partnerships), expansion of 988 Crisis Lifeline state coordination, and telehealth parity laws that let Black patients connect with Black therapists across state lines under Medicaid.
The figures on this page are drawn from SAMHSA NSDUH + HRSA NHSC, which is the canonical public dataset for this indicator. See the References section below for supporting citations from MMWR, NEJM, and JAMA where the underlying drivers have been studied.
Policy actions
Montana residents can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by call, text, or chat 24/7 — free and confidential. The state's behavioral health system is monitored by SAMHSA's state profile, available via samhsa.gov/data.
Where to get help in your state
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org
- Black mental health clinicians in Montana: Black Health directory
- Therapy for Black Girls directory: therapyforblackgirls.com
- BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective): beam.community
References & primary sources
- Primary dataset: SAMHSA NSDUH + HRSA NHSC
- SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Annual State Tables.
- Alegría M et al. Disparity in depression treatment among racial/ethnic groups. Psychiatr Serv. 2008.
Data refreshed: