We build wellness in Montana and beyond
The Montana Happiness Project promotes well-being and strives to reduce suicide through education, consultation, supervision, and counseling
HAPPINESS FOR EDUCATORS
CHECK OUT OUR NEW ONLINE COURSE ON EVIDENCE-BASED HAPPINESS INTERVENTIONS YOU CAN USE WITH YOURSELVES AND STUDENTS
Ongoing Projects
Happy Families
Families shape children and children shape the future. In collaboration with the Families First Learning Lab in Missoula, MT, the Montana Happiness Project offers classes and consultations for parents. If you, or someone you know, wants to create a more positive and engaged family environment, call Families First Learning Lab or check their website for their scheduled events. You can also ask for Dylan Wright and he can provide you with a telephone or in-person consultation.
Happy Colleges
Along with K-12 youth, college students are experiencing their own mental health crisis. According to numerous surveys, college students are suffering from more mental health symptoms, more suicidality, and more emotional distress than ever before. One evidence-based method for improving mental health among small and large groups of college students is to offer credit-bearing classes on evidence-based happiness and shorter, non-credit workshops and groups on how to integrate happiness practices into college life. In partnership with Counseling Services at the University of Montana, the Montana Happiness Project is funding additional mental health counseling resources and working to introduce evidence-based happiness coursework into the college student curriculum. For more information about the Counseling Services, click here.
Services for Professionals
We offer an array of services to a broad range of professionals. For more information on all of the following services, contact John S-F
Workshops on Strengths-Based Suicide Assessment and Treatment
Several members of our team can provide engaging and experiential workshops on the strengths-based approach to suicide assessment and treatment. These workshops are appropriate for school professionals, mental health professionals, and healthcare providers. One, among several, unique component of our professional workshops is the infusion of evidence-based happiness strategies into our suicide assessment and treatment workshops. We do this to support practitioners who are doing the emotionally challenging work of suicide prevention.
Happy Retreats
MHP periodically offers retreats for doctoral students, university professors, and new professionals. Retreats focus on knowledge, skills, and strategies for teaching the strengths-based model and and happiness content. Our goal is to train current and future professionals to provide highly engaging and interactive professional and public workshops, speeches, and presentations. Two-day retreats are available by invitation only, or may be scheduled by your organization. Contact John S-F for more information about scheduling retreats.
Happy Schools
Schools have been overwhelmed by the global pandemic and the current youth mental health crisis. Not surprisingly, teachers are stressed and school-parent relationships are often tense. In collaboration with the Arthur M. Blank Foundation and the University of Montana Safe Schools Center, the Montana Happiness project is subsidizing graduate level courses on the Art and Science of Happiness to teachers. These courses are designed to provide teachers with greater evidence-based happiness skills for themselves and for their classrooms. Additionally, we’re working with the Safe Schools Center to develop a “Happiness Potential” questionnaire for middle and high school students. Based on the principle that whatever you pay attention to grows, we believe re-orienting school professionals and students toward happiness potential will provide and important supplement to the hyper-focus on depression and suicide screening. For more information about the Safe Schools Center, click here.
Happy Media
In collaboration with Families First Learning Lab and Missoula Community Access Television, the Montana Happiness Project is funding production of a community “Talk Show” titled, The Wright Stuff on Happiness. This forthcoming show begins infusing greater positivity and awareness of evidence-based happiness strategies into local media. Our goals also include production of a local happiness-based podcast and partnership with local media to increase public visibility of happiness efforts in Montana. The Wright Stuff on Happiness will debut in early 2022.
Keynotes and Public Addresses
We offer keynote speeches and public lectures on the following topics.
Strengths-based suicide assessment and treatment planning
One hour (or more) of happiness
Evidence-based happiness interventions
Tough kids, cool counseling
Clinical interviewing, including how to conduct mental status examinations, suicide assessment interviews, intake interviews, and more
Pedagogical approaches to teaching counseling and psychotherapy theories
Parenting in the 21st century
Consultation and Supervision
Dr. John, Dr. Rita, and other consultants are available for professionals and parents in clinical, academic, and virtual contexts. Supervision and consultation hours are limited. We offer supervision and consultation on a sliding fee scale from $50-$250/hour.
Organizations Supporting the Montana Happiness Project
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, envisions creating a world where sustainable and inclusive communities thrive by practicing values-based philanthropy. The current priority areas are Atlanta’s Westside, Democracy, Environment, Mental Health & Well-Being, Youth Development and Founder Initiatives.
Families First Learning Lab
Since 1994, Families First Learning Lab (FFLL) has been empowering Western Montana families with parent education and learning through play. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, FFLL provides knowledge and skill-building through parenting classes and opportunities for parents to connect with peers and professionals to build a strong network. In addition to the work with caregivers, FFLL facilitates opportunities for children to participate in learning through play activities.
The Nate Chute Foundation
Founded in 1999, The Nate Chute Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to reducing suicide in western Montana through education, outreach, and training. NCF offers evidence-based training and education to area schools and organizations to help identify suicidal behavior and build resiliency, as well as providing financial assistance for professional counseling to those at risk of suicide.
