State funding cuts have canceled the Brain Injury Help Line, which was part of the proposed funding in House Bill 336. The help line is through the Brain Injury Alliance of Montana, an organization that funds support groups throughout the state, as well as education and prevention outreach programs.

The help line is being canceled at the end of this month, according to John Bigart III, executive director for the Alliance. Bigart, who is also the mayor of Alberton, said that even with the recent budget cuts, the Brain Injury Alliance will still be around to help Montanans. “It is our commitment to continue to be a resource for brain injury survivors. We will still be promoting awareness, advocacy and prevention, which includes our statewide free helmet giveaways.”

Montana ranked between second and third in the nation per capita for brain injury related deaths. These injuries can be caused by activities such as sports, vehicle accidents, falls, physical aggression, or gunshot wounds. Brain injuries can span from mild cases which may result in temporary confusion and headaches to more serious concussions, amnesia, disability, comas to long-term impairment or even death.

The help line started in 2006 and has since helped thousands of Montanans and their families said Bigart, “it’s sad (that the help line was cut) and it shows just how much we need to push brain injury awareness and prevention.”

At the Alliance, which has its headquarters in Missoula, they see how much brain injury affects people all around the state. The statistics of individuals that are incarcerated, homeless, seniors, Native Americans that are living with some type of brain injury is staggering. Many of the mental health disorders and behavioral issues of individuals can be traced back to one or more brain injuries.

“We are also seeing a huge cultural shift in how people see brain injury. With all of the national news about CTE, sports are finally making choices that will help provide safety to athletes at all ages. In the past people were afraid to mention that they received a brain injury, because they felt that those that there around them would assume that they had brain damage,” said Bigart. “Every brain injury, including concussions, has some type of brain damage, but for minor injuries the damage might be temporary, and with proper recovery and treatment, it may not have long-term symptoms. Anyone who has ever had a brain injury understands exactly what is meant when brain injuries are called the “invisible injuries.” You look the same, and everything on the surface seems normal, but there is something different that can’t always be pinned-down.”

March is brain injury awareness month and as part of the BIAMT efforts to educate the public they have a roadshow entitled, “Unmasking Brain Injury in Montana.” The display holds 20 mask created by artists who have a personal story about brain injury.

Currently the displays are in Missoula with one on the second floor of the Missoula County Courthouse in the rotunda and the other is in the Southgate Mall near the clock. Both of these displays will be at these locations through the month of March. There is also a brain injury support group in Missoula which meets monthly at St. Patrick Hospital. People can call Terry Tremper at (406) 329-5784 for details.