Traumatic brain injury affects different people in different degrees, but everyone with TBI experiences similar emotions. Dealing with TBI is challenging for both the patient and his or her family, but sharing your experiences with people who have had similar experiences can help. TBI support groups provide the opportunity to make friends and learn more about TBI.
Different TBI support groups have different focuses, so check out several, if possible, to see which one best meets your needs. Some TBI support groups emphasize learning about TBI, while others emphasize offering adaptive recreational opportunities for TBI patients. Some groups have meetings for patients and separate meetings for caregivers and family members, while others invite anyone interested in TBI to the same meeting.
We have tried to make the following list as complete as possible. Because support groups change or disband without warning we advise you to call before traveling to the group’s meeting place for the first time. If you cannot find a group in your area, you may wish to start one. Information about starting your own TBI support group can be obtained from the Brain Injury Association of Montana: http://www.biamt.org/.
Big Timber
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the second Monday of the month from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Meeting place:
Boulder Meadows Assisted Living (room off of Dining Room)
302 West 8th Avenue
Big Timber, Montana
Contact:
Barb Beaver at (406) 932-5449 or bbeaver@mt.gov
Billings
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Meeting place:
MCD in the MSU-Billings College of Education Building
Montana State University
1500 University Drive
Billings, Montana 59101-0245
Contact:
Ian Elliot at (406) 656-2744 or elliotian@hotmail.com
Bozeman
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Meeting place:
Eagle Mount – Bozeman
6901 Goldenstein Lane
Bozeman, Montana 59715
Contact:
Mary DeBernardis at (406) 763-4268 or debern@imt.net
Browning
This group is forming. Please call for more information.
Contact:
Terry Flamand at (406) 338-3483
Butte
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Meeting place:
Community Rm. Legion Oasis Apts.
3400 Hill Ave,
Butte, Montana 59701
Contact:
Marilyn Patrick at (406) 494-5243 or sharpfocus@in-tch.com
Crow Agency
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m.
Meeting place:
Awe Kualawaache Care Center
I-90 & Us-212
Crow Agency, Montana
Contact Info:
Dean Bird at (406) 256-8160 (Mon. – Wed.) or (406) 665-1634 (Thur. and Fri.)
Eureka
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the third Monday of the month. Call for more information.
Meeting place:
Senior Citizen Center
310 1st Ave E
Eureka, Montana
Contact:
Laura Wilde at (406) 295-9753 or lwilde@frontiernet.net
Don Walker at (406) 293-6518 or donovan@libby.org
Flathead
A new TBI Support Group is forming in Flathead. Contact the Brain Injury Association of Montana for more details. http://www.biamt.org/support.html
Fort Belknap
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at noon.
Meeting place:
Little River Health Center Board Room
Fort Belknap, Montana
Contact:
Nadine Sullivan at (406) 353-3202
Fort Peck
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at noon.
Meeting place:
Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point
301 Knapp St.
Wolf Point, Montana 59201-1826
Contact:
Denise Zimmer at (406) 650-8791
Great Falls
TBI Support Group
This group meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month.
Meeting place:
Benefis West, Clark Room
500 15th Avenue South
Great Falls, Montana 59405
Contacts:
Mike and Charlene Sullivan at (406) 453-6028
Hamilton
TBI Support Group
This group is being reestablished. Call for more information.
Contact:
Frank Braceful at (406) 821-3891
Helena
Helena Support Group
This group meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 pm.
Meeting place:
City Brew Coffee,
2910 N Montana Ave,
Helena, MT 59601
Contact:
Karen Cyr at (406) 431-4516
Kalispell
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the second Monday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m.
Meeting place:
The Summit (Hwy 93 North)
205 Sunnyview Lane
Kalispell, Montana 59901
Contact:
Sue Crawford at (406) 756-4725
Lame Deer
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m.
Meeting place:
Chief Dull Knife College
1 College Dr.
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Contact:
Quintin Kingfisher at (406) 477-6215 ext 157
Libby
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m.
Meeting place:
Families in Partnership
83 Collins Ave.
Libby, Montana 59923-3016
Contacts:
Laura Wilde at 406-295-9753 or lwilde@frontiernet.net
Don Walker at 406-293-6518 or donovan@libby.org
Miles City
TBI Support Group
This group is being formed. Call for more information.
Contact:
Mary Cathryn Dunphy at (406) 232-6496
Missoula
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting place:
St. Patrick’s Hospital, Lower level conference room
500 W. Broadway
Missoula, MT 59802
Contact:
Larry Plant at (406) 728-8260
Rocky Boy
TBI Support Group
This group is being formed. Call for more information.
Contact:
Mary DeBerry
(406) 395-4818
(800) 440-9675
Troy
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the third Wednesday of the month. Call for more details.
Meeting place:
Kootenai Senior Citizen Center
304 Third Street
Troy, MT 5993
Contacts:
Laura Wilde at (406) 295-9753 or lwilde@frontiernet.net
Don Walker at (406) 293-6518 or donovan@libby.org