EMCMHC Welcomes New Prevention Specialist

Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center, 1009 Sixth Ave. N., Glasgow, is one of many locations serving eastern Montana, providing quality, professional, comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment services to citizens in the areas they serve. As a non-profit private agency, services are provided to the public in need of behavioral health treatment including mental health and substance abuse assessments, outpatient services, case management, medication management, comprehensive school and community treatment programs, crisis/emergency services, community rehabilitation, support services, as well as classes including Prime For Life, Thinking For Change, Minor in Possession and Seeking Safety Group and Prevention Services. Glasgow resident Brianna Overbey is the newest addition to the Glasgow office in the role of prevention specialist, serving Valley County and parts of Phillips County.

As the prevention specialist, Overbey will work to educate the community, including at-risk youth, on substance abuse and other high-risk behaviors, while providing the necessary skills to make more positive choices. She will be planning and implementing programs and events to decrease participation in risky lifestyle choices while at the same time increase healthy choices. Current prevention efforts include creating options for families who have had their routine disrupted due to the pandemic in order to provide parents and children a break from each other while maintaining social distancing and stay-at-home orders.

"Our main job as prevention specialists is to work with other agencies in the community to collaborate and pool our resources to provide services to the community. This is through media campaigns, positive activities for families and youth, providing evidence-based programs and making positive changes in the environment to change negative behaviors to positive ones," said Overbey. "My overall goal for the community is to be healthy in all aspects of their lives, but specifically in the area of behavioral health, which includes mental health and substance use."

The role of prevention specialist is possible through a state grant with specific goals of reducing the number of students who report using alcohol or marijuana in the past 30 days as well as reducing the number of adults who have reported binge drinking in the past 30 days. "To reach these goals, I will focus on activities that address social-emotional learning, perception of alcohol or drug use, parental attitudes towards alcohol or drug use and other community-based activities to help increase benefits to youth for being involved in these positive activities," explained Overbey.

Overbey stressed she can not be successful in this role without the support, input and cooperation from the community. "I want everyone to be open to learning and hearing about how alcohol and drug use affects our community, especially those under 21 years of age. I want them to be good examples to youth and follow the law. Also, let kids know when they're doing a good job. Promoting the positive is just as important as decreasing the negative," she said.

Overbey is a native Montanan and has been a part of the Glasgow community for four years, serving in a variety of different roles. She is currently pursuing her bachelors in art and psychology at Arizona State University and is studying to obtain her pilot's license. In addition to her new role of prevention specialist, she is also an emergency medical technician for Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital ambulance. In addition to learning a new role and furthering her education, Overbey is planning a summer wedding and is a mom to a five-year-old girl.

"All of my work experience has been dedicated to helping others. I decided to take on this role as I have grown to love this community and everyone in it. I want to do what I can to make it better. I have a special place in my heart for kids and want to be a positive role model to them. I also want to be a friendly face that people feel comfortable voicing their options, ideas and concerns to me. What makes me happiest is helping others in any capacity that I possibly can." stated Overbey.

Any individual can contact Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center for services and a referral is not required. They can be contacted at 406-228-9349. Overbey can be reached directly at 406-861-4119 or by e-mail, [email protected].