Mental & Physical Health
Mental and Behavioral Health
Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction
Narcan and Fentanyl Test Strips
Free Narcan and fentanyl test strips are available at the Vaccine Clinic Desk at 301 W. Alder St, 10am-4pm Monday through Friday.
Supply may vary.
Narcan is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids when given in time. It works to reverse overdoses caused by heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications. Missoula Public Health provides free Narcan (also know as Naloxone) to community members, businesses, groups, and organizations (depending on supply).
Narcan and fentanyl test strips are also available at the following locations:
- Open Aid Alliance, 715 Ronan St, Open 12-5pm M-Th
- Harm Reduction Kiosks:
- Mountain Line Bus Transfer Center Downtown (available 24/7)
- Johnson Street Shelter
- Missoula Food Bank
- Hope Rescue Mission
To request larger quantities of Narcan, fentanyl test strips, or to schedule a training, please email us at SUDPrevention@MissoulaCounty.us or fill out this form.
Harm Reduction
Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. Missoula Public Health uses several harm reduction strategies to prevent fatal overdoses, such as providing free Narcan and fentanyl test strips and facilitating overdose prevention and education trainings.
Safe Syringe Disposal
Do you need to dispose of sharps/syringes on a regular basis? Here are some disposal options:
- You can utilize our local garbage collection service. However, it is important that sharps are not loosely placed in your trash. Please check out our Syringe Disposal Guide below to learn how to safely dispose of syringes in your waste container through Republic Services of Montana.
- You can also take syringes to our local disposal kiosks. They are located:
- Behind the Poverello Center at 1110 W Broadway
- Behind the former Burns St Bistro at 1500 Burns St
Have you found a used syringe?
- Please use caution when picking up and disposing of the syringe. For information on how to do so, check out this resource.
- If you’re not comfortable picking up the syringe, you can call the Syringe Litter Hotline at 406.209.9882. Someone will come and dispose of it for you. This service is provided by Open Aid Alliance.
Outreach and Media Professionals
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Suicide Prevention
Need confidential help now?
Call the National Lifeline at 9-8-8 or text “mt” to 741-741
The Suicide Prevention Program at Missoula Public Health works to make sure fewer people die by suicide. We do this by working with community partners on projects that increase awareness, promote prevention, and support intervention.
Gun Locks
One in four survivors tell us their suicidal thoughts were acted on within 5 minutes…and half say they tried to take their life less than 20 minutes after thinking about it. Those who didn’t survive most often used firearms. Firearms account for 63% of all suicides in Missoula and one Montanan dies from a firearm suicide every 54 hours.
Give someone a second chance. Secure your firearms with gun locks.
Outreach and Media Professionals
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Please note, Missoula Public Health does not provide crisis services or direct mental health care. 24/7 support is available through 988, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If this is a life threatening emergency, please call 911.
Tobacco
Every day, in Montana, four people pass away too soon because of tobacco-related problems. But there’s some good news! Montana has a service that can help folks who want to quit using tobacco, and it won’t cost them anything.
Montana Tobacco Quit Line Services
- A plan to help you quit smoking, designed just for you, and it’s free.
- You’ll have five sessions with someone who can help you quit, and it won’t cost you anything.
- If it’s right for you, you can get free nicotine replacement therapy like gum, patches, or lozenges for four weeks, whether you smoke cigarettes or use smokeless tobacco.
- Help you access medication for quitting tobacco.
- Free educational materials for health care providers as well as friends and families of tobacco users.
- Doctors can fax the Quit Line to refer patients who want to quit using tobacco.
- The people who work here are trained to help American Indians and respect their culture.
Quit Kits
Tobacco Free Missoula also offers FREE Quit Kits to help people stop smoking, vaping, and using chewing tobacco.
Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA)
Under the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act, all indoor workplaces and public spaces must be smoke free, including bars and casinos. You can help us enforce the Clean Indoor Air Act by submitting a complaint using the online Violation Report Form.
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Physical Health
Community Health Workers
Everyone needs a little help once in a while, and our Community Health Workers can do just that! They live in our community and know it well. They can help you get connected to the services you need.
They will:
- Listen to you and understand your needs
- Help you understand what is available in our community
- Help you fill out applications and forms
- Explain health information
- Help you make phone calls to get connected to services, or even ride the bus with you
They partner with you, and will offer support and guidance. Visits are free to all Missoula County residents.
Diabetes Prevention
Prevent T2 is a nationally known source of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, and Missoula County’s only lifestyle change program.
You can expect one-on-one and group support in reaching your health goals. Join one of the four class series that is offered during the year!
Over the one-year course, you will get:
- Guidance in nutrition
- Support in physical activity
- Ideas to manage stress
- And much more
Program fees are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, City or County Health Insurances. We also have scholarships to those who qualify. Contact us today to learn more!
For more information about Diabetes Prevention, check out: Montana Diabetes Program and the National Diabetes Prevention Program
Immunizations
Missoula Public Health offers a variety of immunizations to Missoula County.
- Adult Immunizations (All routine vaccinations)
- Childhood Immunizations (All routine vaccinations)
- School Required Immunizations
- Flu Shots
- COVID-19 Vaccine (Pfizer)
Infectious Disease
A list of over 80 contagious illnesses must be reported to the local Health Department by medical professionals, labs, and other designated sources.
These illnesses include things like tick and mosquito-borne diseases, food-related illnesses, whooping cough, and high lead levels. When Missoula Public Health learns of such an illness, their Disease Intervention Specialist Nurses take action to limit its spread in the community. They collaborate closely with healthcare providers, schools, and others to safeguard the community from various medical and infectious threats.
If you’re diagnosed with one of these illnesses, you might receive a call from their specialists who will ask questions to identify the infection’s source and provide information to help prevent its spread.
Medication Safety
Medication Storage
The safest way to keep medicines stored is to lock them up where others cannot access them. Lock up medicines in a safe, cabinet or lockable box. Missoula Public Health often has free medication lock boxes to give away if you need them (as supplies allow). Contact us for more information.
Free Narcan and Deterra Drug Deactivation and Disposal bags are available at the Vaccine Clinic Desk at 301 W. Alder, 10:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday.
Supply may vary.
Safe and Environmentally-Friendly Medication Disposal
- Having unused or expired medications in the house can potentially lead to medication misuse and overdose. Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment. To safely dispose of unused and expired medications, do not simply put them in the garbage, flush them down the toilet, or wash down any drain. Find out how to safely dispose of medication here.
- There are several medication drop box locations in Missoula County. Locations in Missoula County are listed below:
- Missoula Police Department – 435 Ryman (open 24/7)
- Granite Pharmacy – 2230 27th Ave and 1
- U of M Curry Health Center – 634 Eddy Ave.
- Partnership Health Center – 401 Railroad Street W.
- CVS Pharmacy, 1902 Brooks
- Missoula Pharmacy – 1211 S. Reserve
- Community Cancer Center – 2837 Fort Missoula Rd.
- Community Med CTR Hospital – 2827 Fort Missoula Rd.
- Albertson’s/Osco Pharmacy
- 1003 E Broadway St.
- 2205 Oxford St
- 2230 N Reserve St
- 3800 Russell St
- Walmart Pharmacy
- 3555 Mullan Rd
- 4000 Hwy 93 S
- Lolo: Lolo Drug – 103 Glacier Dr.
- Frenchtown: Granite Pharmacy Health Services – 16862 Beckwith St., Suite P
- Seeley Lake: Seeley Swan Pharmacy– 3027 Hwy 83 Lazy Pine Mall
Another safe way to dispose of your medications at home is getting a Deterra Drug Deactivation and Disposal bag. These bags can be used at home or in a clinical setting to safely destroy unused or expired medications, making them unavailable for misuse and safe for disposal in the normal trash.
Safe Syringe Disposal
Do you need to dispose of sharps/syringes on a regular basis? Learn about safe disposal options in our syringe disposal guide.
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Nutrition
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Individual and family nutrition support:
- Nutrition during pregnancy
- Child growth or weight concerns
- Food allergies
- Picky eating
- Meal and snack planning
- Access to food resources
- Condition specific nutrition therapy
Community Nutrition
We are working to improve nutrition environments including access, quality, and availability of health options for all of Missoula County.
We focus on:
- Building partnerships
- Offering education
- Providing resources and support
Check back soon for more information on what MPH is doing!
Infant Feeding
Newborn feeding and breastfeeding questions. Call the helpline at 406.207.4357
- Certified lactation specialists and nurses are available for home visits, Monday – Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm
- Baby Bistro: A local free parent-baby support group for learning the ins-and-outs of nourishing your baby, led by a certified lactation specialist. Group meets every Tuesday at the Missoula Food Bank & Community Center at 1720 Wyoming Street, Missoula at 10:00am.
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Preparing for Emergencies
Emergency preparedness begins with you! What is your plan when disaster strikes?
Check out these resources to get started: