Greetings, Beacon Nation! Yesterday, the Northern Hemisphere officially tilted into winter, which is gradually returning to form in northwest Montana. And with the shortest day of the year behind us, we can look forward to gaining a little more daylight with each winter dawn. It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Except for some folks, it’s not, which is why today’s newsletter recognizes the additional light shed on mental health awareness by organizations like the Nate Chute Foundation (NCF), a Whitefish-based suicide prevention organization that for more than 25 years has promoted mental wellness by offering evidence-based training and education to area schools, organizations and communities, working to identify and intervene with suicidal behavior.
The organization also aims to increase access to mental health support by providing financial assistance for professional counseling to those struggling with mental health challenges.
Last week, NCF announced that the Flathead County Suicide Prevention Coalition (FCSPC), a network of stakeholders from across the Flathead Valley, had concluded its second awareness campaign of the year. According call center data from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the nationwide resource reported a 26% increase in calls throughout 2025 at the local call center, which averaged 182 calls per month. A majority of inbound calls, 88%, ended in resolution of the caller’s immediate crisis. For crises that cannot be resolved by the call center, referrals are made to local Flathead Valley resources.
I’m Tristan Scott, here to shine a light on those details and, hopefully, help someone in need.
Formed in December 2021, the FCSPC brings together community organizations dedicated to mental wellness, public health, and suicide prevention. The coalition meets monthly to identify local needs and coordinate services and outreach efforts.
Throughout September, the coalition expanded its partnerships with local businesses — including coffee shops, gyms and fitness centers, as well as Flathead Valley Community College — to serve as hubs for distributing campaign materials and raising public awareness about the 988 Lifeline. Among these new partnerships was the Montana Bar Fairies, who included 988 informational cards with the coffee gift cards they leave on cars parked at bars overnight, rewarding patrons for choosing not to drink and drive.
Between the May and September 988 Awareness Campaigns, more than 10,000 coasters were distributed to approximately 200 bars and restaurants, along with 400 outreach packets delivered to a wide range of local businesses, including dispensaries, gun shops, thrift stores, and gyms.
The campaign generated more than 241,000 media impressions through coverage in local newspapers, Spectrum TV (both targeted and county-wide), and radio stations. In addition, an outdoor billboard located south of Kalispell — displayed through the end of the year — has generated an estimated 78,794 impressions per week.
At the most recent FCSPC meeting, the Coalition finalized a three-year strategic plan to advance its new goal of increasing community awareness, resources, and partnerships that promote safe firearm and medication storage. The plan focuses on strengthening local infrastructure, launching a culturally informed awareness campaign, expanding access to safe-storage tools, and evaluating progress through ongoing data collection.
For more information about the 988 campaign, the work of the Flathead County Suicide Prevention Coalition, or with general questions about how to volunteer to support mental wellness in the community, please reach out to the Nate Chute Foundation at [email protected].
And now, take advantage of the additional 30 seconds to 1 minute of daylight by reading the rest of today’s Daily Roundup.
Court Declassifies Whitefish Police Footage from April Arrest of Venezuelan Man
The footage shows the Whitefish Police Department’s interaction with Beker Rengifo del Castillo, in which he is pulled over for a broken taillight before the officer involved in the traffic stop calls in Border Patrol to “check him.” Rengifo del Castillo is suing the city of Whitefish, the Whitefish police chief and the officer for racial profiling.
With Growth Policy Deadline Looming, Whitefish Planning Group Aims to Overcome Differences
As Whitefish enters the final stretch of a state-mandated overhaul of its 2007 growth policy, long-simmering tensions have spilled out. While city leaders acknowledge the community's frustrations with the process — as well as the difficulty of the commission's task — they remain optimistic about the end result.
Flathead County School Districts, on Average, Top Statewide MAST Test Results
Local school district leaders said the statewide test, which was used for the first time last year, has issues that still need to be worked out. Many cautioned against using it as the sole indicator of their schools’ success.
The ski area will open Wednesday with limited terrain and hours, with chairlifts spinning from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 24 and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Christmas Day
This holiday season, celebrate the spirit of our community by shopping local. Every purchase you make from a neighborhood business helps support local jobs, families, and the unique character that makes the Flathead Valley such a special place to call home. From thoughtful gifts to festive experiences, our local shops have everything you need to make the season bright. Here’s some information on how to keep it local this holiday season.
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Whether you’ve been here for decades, or you’re new to the Flathead Valley, our reporting is here to help you feel smarter and in the loop about the issues most important to Northwest Montana. With your support, we can build a more engaged, informed community.
