Need Help in Missoula County? Dial 211, 988, and 911

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Missoula Public Health, in their growing effort to provide the help that Missoula County residents may need in a variety of situations, is promoting the fact that ‘Help is 3 Numbers Away’.

I spoke with Leah Fitch-Brody on Tuesday about three important programs that can each be accessed by three numbers; 211, 988, and 911.

The First Three Number Sequence is 2-1-1

Fitch-Brody said the first number to remember is 2-1-1, for general needs such as food, housing and shelter, utility assistance, healthcare services, and transportation.

“If you need help finding resources around food, housing, or shelter,” began Fitch-Brody. “You could also find healthcare services, transportation, and other kinds of less crisis-related mental health services or substance abuse services. You can call 2-1-1 and they're they also have a great website as well.”

The Next Sequence of Important Numbers is 9-8-8

Fitch-Brody said the next three-number sequence of importance is 9-8-8.

“If you need crisis support or emotional support, you can call 9-8-8 which is a newer thing in Montana, and it’s there if you're in crisis, having thoughts of suicide, or if you're in mental health or substance use crisis. That’s where 9-8-8 is a really wonderful resource that we have in our community.”

We all know that 9-1-1 is the most important call to make in an emergency. Fitch-Brody said there are a number of complimentary services that can be involved when you call 9-1-1.

Calling 9-1-1 Can Bring a Number of Additional Services

“Calling 911 is important,” she said. Authorities really want to promote that they also have a mobile support team that can respond to behavioral health crises. They also have a social worker and an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) that can come out and help in certain situations, and calling 9-1-1 is the way to get those services rolling.”

Fitch-Brody said these three services will be the start of an entire program that will help inform the public about how to communicate effectively about the problems of suicide and overdose.

Several other agencies are participating in this program, including Tamarack, Mountain Pacific, Open Aid Alliance, Providence, Project Tomorrow Montana, and United Way of Missoula County.