State of Mind Takes on Mental Health Stigma in Montana

Montanans are good neighbors. If somebody gets hurt in the house, farm or ranch next to ours, we step up. But if someone seems down or has an addiction issue or tries to hurt themselves, we often aren’t sure how to help in that situation.

September is Suicide Prevention Month, highlighting the crucial need for mental health awareness and open dialogues that inspire healing and understanding. As a foundation committed to community wellbeing, we are proud to support State of Mind, a groundbreaking initiative that seeks to redefine how Montana addresses mental and behavioral health challenges. This statewide theatre and public dialogue tour, developed by the University of Montana’s Co-Lab for Civic Imagination, amplifies youth voices, challenges mental health stigma, and strengthens community connections.

Kicking off this September and running through May 2025, State of Mind will visit over twenty primarily rural communities across Montana. The tour features emotionally engaging performances designed to spark reflection and new perspectives on mental health and suicide prevention. In addition to the performances, State of Mind will conduct free student workshops and professional development sessions for educators, administrators, and local health providers.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Michael Rohd, Director of State of Mind, to explore how the project uses theatre to address behavioral health issues and spark meaningful conversations across the state.

——

Can you share the inspiration behind the State of Mind project and how it came to be?

I lead the Co-Lab for Civic Imagination at the University of Montana, drawing on decades of work at the intersection of the arts and other sectors, including public health. When I arrived, I listened to colleagues to understand some of the central concerns in Montana. It was clear that behavioral health was a crisis in the state. Though people don’t always agree on solutions, there is broad recognition of the problem. We set out with partners- including artists, health workers, educators and Indigenous collaborators – to use theatre and the arts as a catalyst for dialogue and connection around this issue.  

Can you share a story or moment that highlights the impact of your project?

Even before the tour’s official start, the project has sparked some meaningful conversations. At a recent workshop, we invited audience members to write postcards to a stranger feeling lonely. Hearing responses read aloud left no dry eyes in the room. One participant, whose son-in-law had committed suicide, shared that the performance gave her courage to finally have a difficult but necessary conversation with her daughter and grandson about the loss. This is an example of the kind of dialogue and change we hope to inspire.

What will the workshops for students and staff look like? 

At the daytime workshops for high school students, they’ll share stories, participate in theatre activities and discuss what they need to feel safe and supported. Their feedback shapes the curriculum for our afternoon workshops with teachers and health workers, who explore how those needs match up with assets in the community, where there are gaps, and what action steps they could take. The students’ insights are also woven into the evening performance, so the audience hears what the students expressed earlier in the day.

What excites you most about centering youth voices in this work? 

Our project will host conversations about healthy futures in communities across Montana. Our workshops and the show itself invite participants and audiences to imagine what care can look like in a variety of ways. Montana youth are central to any conversation about our collective future; hearing from them and amplifying their voices will be a privilege, and we believe it will yield interesting and unique ideas.

What message do you hope to leave with audiences and communities after they experience ‘State of Mind?’

We want to convey the message that seeking support is not just okay, but necessary as human beings. Montanans are good neighbors. If somebody gets hurt in the house, farm or ranch next to ours, we step up. But if someone seems down or has an addiction issue or tries to hurt themselves, we often aren’t sure how to help in that situation. Through State of Mind, we hope to normalize these conversations and make it a part of life in Montana to be there for each other during mental health challenges just as we help our neighbors when they’re in physical distress.

How can people engage in the tour and support State of Mind?

We encourage people to connect with us on Facebook and invite us to their communities! Thanks to support from Headwaters Foundation and Arthur M. Blank Foundation, you don’t need funding to host us. We are also looking for additional funders to help sustain the tour, and welcome contributions of hotel rooms, gas cards, or other resources. And – if you’re in Missoula on September 19, join our kick-off event at 5pm at Missoula Public Library!

————

Thank you to Michael and State of Mind for their dedication to improving mental health and reducing stigma across Montana! To learn more about the project, visit their website or reach out to Michael Rohd at [email protected].

Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.