Community has always been the backbone of WIA’s mission.
By Allison Bradac GUEST COLUMNIST
Wellness In Action is a grassroots organization founded in 2005 by Big Sky residents concerned about the community’s wellbeing and overall health. What began as support for general health initiatives and scholarship opportunities are now defined programs and direct services that provide access to mental and behavioral health care for those who live or work in Big Sky.
For 20 years, WIA has pioneered the spirit of “community caring about community,” and has maintained its priority to devise good solutions to best serve those who lack sufficient resources. Now providing a comprehensive counseling and direct-service support platform, the Affordable Counseling Program at WIA is the only program of its kind in Big Sky. This program offers a range of reduced-cost counseling options available in-person, via telehealth, and in Spanish; free services by community health workers to provide wrap-around support, trainings, and education opportunities; and scholarships to offer further financial assistance for counseling for people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to access services. Still prioritizing the work initiated by its founding board of directors, WIA continues to provide camp scholarships for Big Sky’s youth.
This year, 2025, marks the 20th anniversary of Wellness in Action (formerly Women in Action). WIA is proud ofpartnering with the Big Sky School District to help hire Big Sky’s first school counselor and implementing the school counseling program, funding in-person services by the Alcohol and Drug Services of Gallatin County, and initiating the community’s first structure for affordable counseling and support groups to improve mental health.
WIA is the only nonprofit organization to provide affordable counseling services, as well as free wrap-around support to those who live or work in Big Sky. Its multi-service platform was created based on identified gaps from community needs assessments with the goals of improving access to care, increasing knowledge of available services and providing a clear pathway to care. WIA bases payment for professional counseling services on a sliding scale that allows community members to pay a lower rate based on income, and the Community Health Worker program is available at no cost. Without the support of a sliding scale many clients would not be able to afford the cost of a $150 counseling session out of pocket, as approximately 40% of clients do not have insurance. Thirty percent of clients qualify for financial assistance from WIA to cover 90% of cost of services, therefore only paying $15 a session. The World Health Organization reports (pages 189-190) that community-based mental health care (like the services provided by WIA) delivers positive outcomes for health and wellbeing by reducing barriers to care. ) delivers positive outcomes for health and wellbeing by reducing barriers to care.
The Big Sky community drives WIA’s mission. Prioritizing mental health continues to be critical, as Montana ranks 38th for the number of uninsured adults with mental health challenges and 47th for the number of adults with mental health challenges whose private insurance did not cover mental or emotional problems, according to a 2024 report by Mental Health AmericaA 2021 Montana Youth Risk Behavior Survey reported that 39.6% of Gallatin County students felt sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks. Big Sky’s youth remain a priority in expanding programs and services at Wellness in Action. WIA supports the Gallatin Behavioral Health Coalition as it works with many community partners to open the first youth behavioral health facility in Gallatin County, scheduled to open in fall 2025 in Belgrade. WIA also collaborates with local schools in Big Sky to incorporate mindfulness, and self –esteem and resiliency curriculum for students. We will continue to work with our local partners to ensure we do all we can to keep our youth and families healthy.
Big Sky can be encouraged by the future of mental health in this special town. Through partnerships, collaboration, and especially with the commitment and beautiful spirit of the people who live here, Wellness in Action is proud to be part of a movement to normalize mental health and reduce the stigma. Our doors are always open to you. We are here to help, support, build, and launch. Please reach out to us with any questions or to seek the help you need. We are here for you.
Allison Bradac is the Executive Director for Wellness in Action and is most honored to work with the dedicated team of counselors and staff to provide a local service platform for reduced-cost counseling and wrap-around support. Allison loves and appreciates the incredible beauty and adventure Big Sky allows and believes that this place is even more beautiful when people can live in their personal place of health and wholeness.
