On Thursday, NCF hosted 50 individuals representing various local responder organizations to discuss the implementation of resilience-building systems. The aim is to prevent burnout and long-term traumatic stress among teams, particularly EMTs, paramedics, and other first responders who may experience posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms due to repeated exposure to human pain and suffering.
NCF seeks to support local responders and outdoor professionals by providing tools, training, and guidance through the Responder Alliance program based in Boulder, Colorado. These training sessions are designed to contribute to the development of vital and healthy workplace cultures.
Among the attendees were representatives from Whitefish Mountain Ski Patrol, Flathead Avalanche Center, Flathead Nordic Backcountry Patrol, Whitefish and Kalispell Police and Fire Departments, Glacier National Park, Flathead National Forest, and Kalispell School District.
We express our gratitude to the National Forest Service, Responder Alliance, and MacKenzie River Pizza for their collaboration in facilitating this important conversation in the valley.

The festive lights are twinkling, and the scent of holiday spices fills the air. As we dive headfirst into the holiday season, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of joy and celebration. However, amidst the merriment, it's crucial to take a moment to reflect on the importance of managing stress and mental health during this time of year.

Research consistently shows a spike in stress levels during the holiday season, with factors such as financial strain, family dynamics, and the pressure to create picture-perfect celebrations contributing to the increase. This stress can take a toll on both physical and mental health, leading to fatigue, anxiety, and even depression.

By addressing the importance of managing our stress and mental health during the holidays, we contribute to the well-being of our entire community. 

During this season, our holiday ads (like the one above) were made possible by Flathead Electric Cooperative's "Roundup for Safety." We extend our heartfelt gratitude to this program and those who support it, acknowledging that it goes beyond powering our homes; it empowers the strength of our community.

Wishing you moments of joy and peace, however big or small, during this holiday.
- The NCF team

3.5 billion searches are completed on Google each day.
What if even a fraction of those searches could help ensure that people who are experiencing distress or thoughts of suicide are offered the help that they need, when they need it?

The University of Washington is recruiting for a federally funded study to collect data from 1,000 volunteers age 18 or older with suicidal thoughts to discover if information from Google or YouTube searches could be used to detect early signs of distress or suicidal thinking.

How it works: "After enrolling in the study, we will show you how to securely donate your Google search and YouTube data to the research team. You will speak with a member of our study team at the beginning of the study to discuss how you are feeling and your own experience with thoughts of suicide or self-harm. Over the next 12 months, we will reach out periodically to check in with how you are doing by sending you surveys to complete. As you fill out these surveys, you will earn Amazon gift codes. You can participate from anywhere! The study is fully remote – you just need the internet and a personal Gmail account to participate."

Interested in helping? ​https://www.searchlightstudy.org/

For adults working with youth (ages 12-18), NCF is providing a FREE Youth Mental Health First Aid Course. 

Blended course - 2 hours of independent learning, 4.5 hours in person. All independent work must be completed before in-person class.

In Person Information
August 24, 2023 
9 am - 3:30 pm (with a 45-minute lunch)
Gateway Community Center
Gathering Room
1203 Highway 2 West
Kalispell, MT 59901

To Register email [email protected]

Blue Bird Box Fundraiser at Bias Brewing, August 12th starting at 2 pm until close! Help us continue this amazing program that supports families navigating loss after a suicide.

​You can learn more about the event here and the program it supports here. We hope to see you there!

Tamarack Brewing Company is hosting a golf tournament to benefit the Nate Chute Foundation (NCF), a local non-profit organization dedicated to suicide prevention in Flathead Valley and northwest Montana. Founded in 1999, NCF offers evidence-based training and education to area schools, organizations, and communities to help build resiliency and identify and intervene with suicidal behavior. 
We invite you to join us in the First Annual Tamarack Open at Northern Pines Golf Club benefitting NCF, on August 10th and 11th, 2023.

To register a team, or support the cause, click here.