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Explore our Frequently Asked Questions for answers about MTPAL works.
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The Montana Psychiatric Access Line (MTPAL) is a statewide initiative that increases access and improves mental, behavioral, and emotional health and development by providing education, consultation, and care navigation to medical providers serving infants, children, adolescents, young adults, and pregnant & postpartum people.
No. MTPAL is not a crisis line. MTPAL is also not intended as a replacement for mental health services that need ongoing management by a psychiatrist or other behavioral health provider (i.e., emergency or complex cases). If the caller’s patient is in a crisis, they will be directed to hang up, dial 9-1-1, and/or direct the patient to the nearest Emergency Department or regional crisis services.
PCPs who see patients 21 and under (up to the 22nd birthday) can utilize MTPAL’s services, including the MTPAL Line and provider education. PCPs who see perinatal patients of all ages may also utilize MTPAL's services
MTPAL Consultation typically take less than 15 minutes to complete, but can last longer for more complex cases. Our team is available to speak with providers for as long as desired. Providers often call with two or three specific clinical questions that they want answered during the call.
When you reach out to the MTPAL Line, our team will need to collect some important information about the patient before coordinating a consultation or other services. This includes:Patient information – Name, date of birth, insurance type, zip codeReason for the call and relevant background informationPlease also remember that you should inform the parent/guardian of your intent to obtain consultative advice for these mental health concerns. You will be asked this screening question by the call center.If you have someone calling MTPAL on your behalf (nurse, care coordinator, etc.) please make sure they are aware of the answers to these questions as it will expedite the process.
If you are a primary care provider, you can give us a call regarding your patient 8 am to 5 PM Monday through Friday. However, the MTPAL program does not provide direct patient services like a traditional mental health clinic. We are an education-based program that focuses on increasing the capabilities of primary care providers. If you would like assistance finding an appropriate referral for your patient, our team can help with that as well via the MTPAL Consult Line.
You can call us or submit an online consultation request at any time of day. Requests received before 4pm on a workday will be handled the same day. All other requests will be addressed on the following business day.
Yes, families will benefit from MTPAL if their primary care provider uses it. Please talk to your primary care provider about registering or encourage them to contact MTPAL for more information.
Any Montana clinician who is caring for the mental health of pregnant women or women in the postpartum period. This can include, but is not limited to, midwives, obstetric providers, primary care providers, pediatricians, psychiatric providers, psychologists, nurses, medical assistants, care coordinators, and social workers.
Please call about any of the following issues: - Best-practices for the management of infants, childrent, adolescent, young adults, pregnant and postpartum patients with mental health concerns (e.g. detection, assessment and treatment of depression, anxiety, SUD, OCD, and other psychiatric disorders)- Effective office-based interventions- Therapy and mediation approaches- Pregnancy loss, complications, or difficult life events- Risks of psychiatric medications and non-medication treatments- Community resources
No, MTPAL staff cannot provide direct treatment. We can provide you with support for managing your patient’s mental health and substance use disorders and assist with treatment referrals when necessary. We can provide a free, one-time patient evaluation on a case-by-case basis.
Yes, we can provide one-pager and other branded items for your office. Please call MTPAL for Moms and ask for these resources.
MTPAL for Moms recognizes that pediatric providers regularly counsel women in the perinatal period who may be experiencing mood, anxiety, or substance use disorders. When this happens, we encourage you to call - with the consent of your patient - so that we can help her get the resources she needs, or to help her get connected to her primary care or prenatal provider.
