Thanks to a $15,000 grant from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Clancy School will be getting serious about game playing.
The PAX Good Behavior Game teaches children good behavior skills to minimize disruptions and promote a productive learning environment.
The grant is part of a statewide program aimed at evaluating ways to decrease suicide rates.
First, second and third graders will take part in the program, which research has shown can help children cope with emotional and mental health challenges later in life, including reducing suicide rates, said a press release announcing the grant.
Clancy School’s Krista King said the program will begin in classrooms next school year after staff goes through formal training.
“We decided to implement the program to provide every opportunity to our students to help them in school, through tough teenage years and into adulthood,” said King.
A total of $372,000 in grants to Montana community organizations, health care providers and schools was announced last week. All of the grant money will be used to expand current or launch new evidence-based suicide prevention programs.
“Montana is fortunate to have so many passionate and talented professionals who are diligently working together to address an issue that is devastating to our communities,” said Governor Steve Bullock. “With this additional support for ongoing efforts and for new, innovative solutions proven to be effective, I’m confident we are moving in the right direction and that we can prevent future tragedies.”
DPHHS Director Sheila Hogan said many thoughtful and innovative proposals were submitted.
“I’m truly impressed by the proposals we received, and I wish them all the best as they move these efforts forward,” Hogan said. “It’s clear that our state, in both the private and public sector, is committed to working together to implement solutions to address suicide prevention in Montana.”
Helena School District received a $15,000 grant and Missoula public school received $41,000 to implement the same program. The only other school district sharing in the grant funds is Lockwood, which received $1000 for other suicide prevention programs.
The largest grant, at $107,000, is going to Billings Clinic for suicide detection and prevention in eleven eastern Montana emergency departments.
DPHHS will collect information at the end of the biennium from each grant recipient to help understand the effectiveness of each program in decreasing the suicide rate in their community or region of the state.
