JHS chosen for teen mental health study

Jefferson High School is one of eight schools nationwide chosen by the National Council for Behavioral Health to participate in a pilot study of its Teen Mental Health First Aid program.

Superintendent Tim Norbeck said the study is “a real good opportunity for a rural school” in a state with the highest suicide rate in the country, nearly double the national average, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jefferson County’s age-adjusted suicide rate between 2007 and 2016 was 23.9 per 100,000 population — lower than the Montana average, but well above the national rate.

Norbeck, who said he has a “huge interest” in mental health matters and struggles with the knowledge of teens committing suicide, said JHS applied to participate in the study early last December and was notified of its acceptance within a few weeks.