Rural Behavioral Health Institute

Vision

We believe all youth deserve access to affordable, effective mental health care to live full, functional, and healthy lives.

 Mission

Our mission is to reduce suicide among youth by building a school-based mental health system in rural America that includes universal mental health screening and robust mental health services. 

Values 

Access, innovation, mental wellness, support

About Us

The Rural Behavioral Health Institute (RBHI; EIN 85-1210248), a Montana-based 501(c)(3) public charity, was founded in June of 2020. RBHI aims to reduce suicide among Montana youth, one of the greatest public health challenges in the US, through the implementation of evidence-based digital mental health screening and care programs. In March 2021, RBHI successfully piloted its Screening Linked to Care (SLTC) suicide prevention intervention in a Montana high school. In the 2021 - 2022 school year, RBHI expanded the SLTC intervention to multiple rural schools using telemental health care as SLTC screening same-day follow-up care. This model has proven to be both feasible and acceptable to school administrators, staff, students, and parents. The expansion of RBHI’s suicide prevention programming in Montana is underway and will continue for the next 3 years. RBHI plans to expand to all middle and high school students (~80,000) in the state by 2025. RBHI also plans to implement SLTC in other states after demonstrating scalability in Montana.

RBHI’s staff is comprised of rural mental health experts, clinicians, and technology specialists. The RBHI Board of Directors have expertise in digital mental health care, suicide risk assessment and treatment, education, rural public health, and implementation science. RBHI also partners with schools across Montana, mental health providers, community members, national leaders in mental health care, and companies with innovative mental health technologies to support the mental wellness of youth. Together we will help improve and save children’s lives across rural America.