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About Suffer Out Loud

We believe:We can end the silence around mental health.
People need community.
There are better endings ahead.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Our Urgency

Lowering Montana’s suicide rates.

Suicide is a major public health issue in the state of Montana. We feel it is vital to acknowledge suicide as a widespread concern with a common cause, rather than simply an individual problem. By coming together, changing our cultural understanding of mental health, and connecting those in need with the resources they deserve, we can help save hundreds of lives and prevent thousands of suicide attempts each year.

 
 

Montana Suicide Statistics

Top 5

Across all age groups, Montana has been in the top five states in the nation for suicide rates for the past 40 years.

3rd out of 50

As of 2020, Montana’s suicide rate ranks third out of all fifty states, and climbing — it has jumped more than 60 percent over the last two decades

10th overall

Suicide is currently the tenth overall leading cause of death in Montana. Suicide is the number two cause of death for children ages 10-14, adolescents ages 15-24 and adults ages 25-44.

Our Purpose —

Connecting people to the mental health support they deserve.


Suffer Out Loud was created to save lives. We serve communities all across Montana by connecting individuals to much-needed support and reducing the stigma of mental health issues. But we’re not just here to lower suicide rates — we’re working to ensure that people who are struggling with mental health challenges, can connect with the professionals and communities that help shift the narrative and improve daily life.

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Our Work —

Helping individuals access the community’s network of resources.

We are not mental health professionals — Suffer Out Loud does not provide direct support to members of our community. Our goal is to connect people to professional resources that compassionately, effectively address mental health issues and illnesses.

  • We are creating a positive community that believes in a better tomorrow, and we reach and engage with this community through social media and our blog.

  • We sponsor events that promote education and awareness. Please view the upcoming events page to see what’s on the calendar.

  • We invest in the resources we promote. Proceeds from all our retail sales go directly to the resources that our community needs.

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Our Team —

Real people, who truly care.

Suffer Out Loud is a team of real people, with a real-life understanding of these issues. We’ve lost friends and family, and struggled with our own mental health. We work with purpose and compassion — because we’ve been there ourselves.

 

Staff and Board

Featured
Cassie Jackson
Cassie Jackson

Founder & Interim Executive Director

Suffer Out Loud has been an idea of Cassie's since she lost her sister to suicide in 2008. She felt very isolated in her grief. In reality, so many people have been affected by mental illness or have lost a loved one to suicide. The issue is no one is talking about it because there is such a strong stigma. She strongly believes that starting this difficult conversation can save lives. Read her story on our blog.

Chad Seely
Chad Seely

Board President

Chad grew up in Havre, MT. He was always interested in helping people and saw his opportunity to do that in Pharmacy. He attended the University of Montana for 4 years at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy. While in school he nurtured his passion for helping others by joining Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity. He embraced leadership roles up to the regional level, holding the top office in the northwest region, and participating in and leading many philanthropic projects. Having many family members and friends personally affected by suicide, Chad hopes to continue helping others by breaking down the stigma associated with mental illness, and guiding those in need towards the resources available to them.

Steph Gibson
Steph Gibson

Treasurer

Like many of us, Steph has experienced seasons of joy and purpose as well as times of depression, isolation, and feelings of being a burden. She knows firsthand that being able to say “I’m not doing well” out loud can have the power to change a day. She joined the Suffer Out Loud movement to change the stigma and normalize the conversation around depression, anxiety, mental illness, and suicide.

Josh Bergan
Josh Bergan

Secretary

Josh moved from Minnesota to Montana in 2004 and has worked in the media and publishing industries for many years. He lost his father to suicide as a teenager and he sees the struggles of friends, family, strangers, and many others throughout our community and world. Josh believes that there is no shame in grappling with depression or anxiety or having lost a loved one to suicide. We should all feel comfortable being open about these things, as talking about them is one small step in reducing the stigma and isolation around mental-health conditions and suicide. Which is why he believes in Suffer Out Loud. You can read Josh’s story here.

Stephanie Johnson
Stephanie Johnson

Board Member

Stephanie is originally from Texas and moved to Bozeman in 2008. Stephanie has a heart for those who are suffering with mental health issues, and has experienced her own feelings of helplessness and isolation. She is passionate about making sure anyone suffering does not have to feel alone by normalizing conversations around mental wellness. Her dedication to Suffer Out Loud stems from wanting to help people find the resources they need and provide a community of people to heal together. Steph strives to step into the tough conversations and to create a space of compassion and healing for those suffering.

Lauren Boland, LCSW
Lauren Boland, LCSW

Board Member

A New Jersey native, Lauren made her way to Montana by way of Denver, CO. Starting out in healthcare communications, her passion for meaning-making, story-telling, and companioning work led to a new beginning as a direct-care practitioner. Sadly, she has been impacted by the experience of suicide in her friends and family commuity. Influenced by the Surgeon General's imperative ("Loneliness and isolation represent profound threats. . . we have the power to respond"), Lauren found a place to contribute with Suffer Out Loud.

Daniel Baker
Daniel Baker

Board Member

Daniel moved to Bozeman in 2020 to attend MSU and has fallen in love with the state. Since his childhood, he has always appreciated the value of volunteer and nonprofit organizations, and after losing his uncle to suicide in 2013 has been passionate about the issue of mental health and the lack of awareness and stigma associated with it. Daniel is excited to be a part of the Suffer Out Loud board, and looks forward to growing with the organization while helping others.

Kayla Mcgearty-Anderson
Kayla Mcgearty-Anderson

Board Member

Kayla grew up in Bozeman, Montana, and chose to remain in her hometown to pursue a degree in English, which would later lead to her teaching at the high school level in both Helena and Bozeman. Throughout her years in education, she faced many challenges with students who struggled with their mental health and experienced suicidal ideations: she realized that one common factor remained, a stigma regarding speaking about one’s internal turmoil. After losing her older brother to suicide, a fire was lit. She wanted to play an active role in seeing others stop suffering in silence—this passion led her to Suffer Out Loud, and she looks forward to continuing their work by helping others connect with resources, and ultimately, empower people to speak about their struggles without fear or shame.

Volunteers

Featured
Camden Laird (Clueless Optics)
Camden Laird (Clueless Optics)

Social Media

Camden Laird is a photographer and digital creator who specializes in multiple types of Cinematography and photography from sporting events to nature photography as you see here. He has worked hard to hone his craft in order to reach his career goals as a professional photographer. Camden current runs his photography business under the name of Clueless Optics and volunteers regularly with a number of local organizations to elevate their missions and events. He is a dedicated Suffer Out Loud volunteer who comes with personal experience around mental health struggles, and is passionate about using his expertise to help destigmatize conversations around mental health in an effort to lower Montana’s suicide rates.

Erin Pritchard
Erin Pritchard

Resource Distribution & Research

Erin grew up in the North East Kingdom of Vermont. Raised in a family of artists and entrepreneurs: life was rich with creative projects, communal living, raising animals and running a family wedding venue. After high school she made her way west for college and to chase snow, and has since settled in Livingston. She is a Massage Therapist, a Caterer, a Mama Bear and the Manager of Bridger Orthopedics Medical Equipment department. She’s also deeply in love with skiing, riding her bike and chasing music. 

Mental health and addiction struggles were a daily battle in her family dynamics growing up. The experience of losing a family member to suicide has fueled her passion to be involved with the community on a deeper level. Having seen first hand in her line of work how injury can be a catalyst to mental health instability she hopes to help bring awareness and resources to those effected by life’s setbacks.

Artist Collaborators

Featured
Montana Is Calling
Montana Is Calling

Christine A. Gobrogge, Ph.D.

Montana is Calling was first conceptualized in 2017. Christine finished her PhD in Physical Chemistry at Montana State University in early 2017, and was ready for a break. While searching for a job that allowed her to stay in Montana, Christine wanted to try her hand at entrepreneurship. When Montana was Calling was first started, the company offered custom vinyl decals to other small businesses and non-profits. In 2021, Christine took up a new hobby to fill time during Covid. With the laser knowledge learned in graduate school, she purchased her first CO2 laser. Since mid-2021, Christine has been growing the Montana-themed product line and offering custom engraving to local friends, family, small businesses, and non-profits like Suffer Out Loud! Christine is volunteering with Suffer Out Loud because she believes mental health is a cornerstone of wellness. Having personally experienced struggles with mental health, Christine recognizes the importance of creating a supportive and understanding community. She is deeply committed to contributing to the collective effort to reduce stigma, promote awareness, and connect people with resources. Bob Marshall, pictured below, is one of the ways Christine improves her mental health on a daily basis! Check out our Montana is Calling Merch!

Browse resources.

Our health resources provide caring, professional support and suicide hotlines for people with immediate mental health care needs across Montana.

 

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Connect with us.

Struggling with mental illness or suicide ideation? We’ll connect you with the mental health resources you need. For emergencies, dial 911 or 800-273-8255.