Our Position on Mental Health Resources

Our Statement of Support

Our Community stands in full support of mental health awareness and access to care for all!

We recognize that across Montana, the need for mental health resources is real and growing. We are committed to encouraging open conversations, reducing stigma, and supporting efforts that expand compassionate quality care.

Mental health matters, and no one should have to struggle alone.

The concerns we are facing here in Laurel go beyond the need for mental health care. The community is just finding out that our city officials (CAO & Mayor) have been speaking to the State of Montana without the knowledge of our city attorney, the city council, or us as a community.

These individuals were acting on behalf of us, the community, and we have concerns about why so many key city representatives were NOT involved with the beginning conversations, tours, and decisions.

We, as a community, want answers! We also want our representatives to understand that the vast majority of our community, see the state's needs but find that the current location is NOT the appropriate location for this type of facility.

We are seeking transparency from our Laurel City officials and the State of Montana. At this point we have not received any answers to our questions and that lack of forthcoming is concerning.

We as LaurelCARED are asking our Laurel City Council to VOTE NO on any annexation that may be presented from the state regarding a mental health prison!

PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY, FAMILIES & CHILDREN!

✓ We Support

  • • Expanded mental health services
  • • Behavioral health resources for Montana
  • • Evidence-based mental health care
  • • Community mental health support
  • • Funding for mental health infrastructure

⚠ We Oppose

  • • THIS specific location (459 yards from elementary school)
  • • Lack of transparency in site selection
  • • Ignoring community input
  • • Bypassing proper consent processes
  • • Backdoor deals without public knowledge

Important Clarification

Our opposition is not to mental health care, behavioral health facilities, or the people who need these services. We recognize the critical need for expanded mental health resources in Montana.

Our opposition is to this specific proposal due to:

  • Proximity to West Elementary School (459 yards)
  • Lack of community consultation and consent
  • Backroom dealings by city officials
  • Ignoring communities (Hardin, Miles City) that actually wanted the facility