New Montana Ranch Project Aims To Help Kids In Crisis

Vacant Montana Ranch To Become Youth Mental Health Center

A vacant property near Belgrade that has been without tenants for three years is getting a new purpose, and for Montana families struggling to find mental health care for their kids, it could make a big difference.

The 30-acre property, better known as Bootstrap Ranch, is being turned into Lighthouse Ranch, a youth behavioral health center focused on helping children and families dealing with mental health challenges.

Montana's Youth Suicide Rate Is Twice The National Average

The need for that kind of care is pretty significant in Montana. According to KBZK, a recent report found that our suicide rate among children ages 10 to 17 is twice the national average.

In Gallatin County alone, 14% of teenagers reportedly said they had attempted suicide in the past year. An estimated 200 to 300 children also end up in emergency departments each year following a suicidal crisis.

For families in Southwest Montana, finding specialized care close to home after a crisis hasn't always been easy. Many have had to travel to facilities in Helena or even as far away as Idaho Falls, Idaho.

That's what Lighthouse Ranch is hoping to change.

Photo by Fernando @cferdophotography on Unsplash

What Services Will Lighthouse Ranch Offer?

The property was purchased with help from HRDC and has since been transferred to Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, which will lead the next phase of development.

The initial plans include outpatient therapy, youth mentoring, and support for families. Down the road, the goal is to add short-term residential crisis stabilization and other residential care options for teens.

Lighthouse Ranch has set a fundraising goal of $8.5 million and has raised $6.5 million so far, so there's still a ways to go before the full vision becomes a reality.

You can learn more about Lighthouse Ranch, follow its progress, or find out how to donate on its website here.