For the past 40 years, Montana has been one of the most at-risk states for suicide, with the second highest suicide death rate in the nation in 2022 at 32 deaths per 100,000 people. That’s consistently twice the national average of 13 deaths per 100,000 people.
The National Speech and Debate Association’s Western Montana national qualifier event took place in Helena, on Feb. 9 and 10, with four Bitterroot Valley students potentially heading to national competition