In 2008, suicidal behavior among soldiers was at an all time high, with Montana having one of the highest rates of military suicide in the nation.
The stigma attached to this touchy subject makes it tough for most soldiers to admit they have a problem.

"The key for us is to get in front of it, and try to prevent suicides from happening, you know, too often we work hard at the investigation to figure out why this occurred, but we want to get in front of it and say, 'Let's prevent it from happening.'

The U.S. Army is bolstering its efforts to bring awareness to the issue and send a message to soldiers that it's a sign of strength to ask for help. The motto of the latest campaign is, "Shoulder-to-Shoulder: No Soldier Stands Alone."

Informational DVDs are being distributed to all soldiers in Montana to illustrate the severity of the problem. Soldiers are being encouraged to look out for one another and identify the warning signs of suicide before it's too late.

"Many times people say, 'You know, well I don't have to watch for my buddy, I don't want to get into his or her business.' Yes we do, especially when you're far away, or you're in another land, that's the only family you have."

Factors such as stress and isolation play a big role in military suicides. Montana soldiers are being provided with more resources than ever before to prevent suicides from happening.

"You know the army is challenged with suicides right now, but losing one soldier is one too many."

"The military has said, you know we are really a family, let's watch out for one another."

The Montana National Guard is holding public meetings this week and next throughout the state to discuss their Yellow Ribbon Campaign.

The meetings will be held from 7-8 p.m. on the following dates and locations:

May 12th
Butte - National Guard Armory (600 Gilman Ave.)

May 13th
Great Falls - Chief Joseph Elementary School (5305 3rd Ave. South)

May 18th
Libby - National Guard Armory, (1004 Treasure Ave.)
Hamilton-National Guard Armory (910 West Main Street)
Lewistown - National Guard Armory (W Airport Rd)
Glasgow - National Guard Armory (81 Airport Rd.)

May 19th
Kalispell - Armed Forces Reserve Center (2989 Hwy 93 North)
Culbertson - National Guard Armory (819 6th Ave E)
Harlowton-National Guard Armory (9895 HWY 12)
Missoula - National Guard Armory (2501 Reserve St.)

May 20
Havre - National Guard Armory (1050 2nd St. West)
Sidney - National Guard Armory (2190 West Holly)
Billings - Billings Armed Forces Reserve Center (2915 Gable Rd.)
Anaconda - National Guard Armory (1070 HWY 41 N)

May 21st
Malta-National Guard Armory (1008 US HWY 191 South)
Miles City - National Guard Armory (2500 Main St.)
Livingston-National Guard Armory (24 Fleshman Creek Rd)
Dillon - Dillon Armed Forces Reserve Center (101 North Polk)

May 28th
Belgrade - Belgrade Armory (350 Airport Rd)
Helena - JFHQ Auditorium (Ft. Harrison)