Dr. Eric Arzubi is on a mission to transform mental health care in Montana, a region facing significant challenges in providing accessible and effective mental health services. Since launching his telepsychiatry practice, Frontier Psychiatry, in 2020, Arzubi has been dedicated to developing innovative solutions that specifically target the needs of Montana’s rural youth.
One of the key elements in Arzubi’s approach is the commitment to “moving the needle” in mental health care. He emphasizes the importance of trialing new strategies that might seem daunting but have the potential to bring lifesaving interventions to communities in need. Arzubi states, “It’s part of my oath as a physician to keep trying new things… Otherwise, we’ll keep reading the same headlines over the next 20 years about how mental health in Montana is not very good.”
With extensive experience in child psychiatry, including his role as chair of the psychiatry department at the Billings Clinic, Arzubi oversees a team at Frontier Psychiatry that monitors the effectiveness of their telepsychiatry services. He firmly believes in the necessity of measuring care quality and confirming its efficacy. In a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the findings showcased a 38% lower hospitalization rate for patients receiving care through Frontier’s telepsychiatry services compared to other patients in Montana. Arzubi commented, “By doing these kinds of studies, I want to prove to ourselves, our patients, and ultimately to other health systems and payers, that what we’re doing is actually making a difference based on the data.”
Despite these successes, Arzubi acknowledges the complexity involved in solving the broader mental health crisis. He highlights a significant challenge: how to make high-quality care universally accessible, especially in rural contexts. Montana has 51 of its 56 counties designated as mental health professional shortage areas, emphasizing the pressing need for scalable and actionable solutions. He explains, “It comes down to something very, very simple, and that is, ‘How do we scale access to high-quality care and make it available at the right time, at the right place?’”
To address this, Arzubi is spearheading an initiative that focuses on the development of single-session interventions (SSIs) for youth facing mental health challenges. Drawing inspiration from the research of Dr. Jessica Schleider, who has studied the effectiveness of SSIs for a decade, Arzubi aims to adapt this strategy specifically for Montana. He plans to launch an online tool, called Project YES, designed to provide immediate mental health support for rural youth by early 2026. This tool will be freely accessible, thanks in part to funding from Montana’s Department of Public Health and Human Services and an anonymous donor.
The concept behind SSIs is compelling: if a young person only attends one session, what are the most impactful things that can be achieved in that limited time? Arzubi notes, “If I get just one session with you… what are the most powerful things I can do during that one session to actually move the needle, if you never come back again?” The aim is to provide immediate support while increasing the likelihood that individuals will engage with mental health services in the future.
Working closely with the Department of Public Health and Human Services, Arzubi has a strong foundation for a project that aims to bridge the gap in mental health care access. Jon Ebelt, a spokesperson for the DPHHS, highlights the importance of this initiative, stating, “Rural Montana youth will benefit from Project YES by having access to culturally adaptive, single-session interventions that are relevant, accessible, and effective for rural adolescents.”
Arzubi’s innovative mindset extends beyond traditional therapy methods. He acknowledges the rise of AI-driven mental health tools that individuals are turning to due to gaps in service availability. He believes this trend is indicative of a community that is actively seeking support. Arzubi states: “The community is not going to wait for us to build tools for them… If there’s a new tool, they’re going to go there.” This realization has fueled his enthusiasm for providing well-researched, effective, and tailored solutions for Montana’s youth.
While Project YES is set to offer valuable resources for young people struggling with mental health issues, Arzubi emphasizes that these interventions are not intended to replace traditional therapy. Rather, they serve as an entry point—aiming to encourage young individuals to seek further assistance within the behavioral health system.
Ultimately, Arzubi’s vision is not just about immediate solutions; it’s about fostering a supportive environment that improves overall mental health outcomes for Montana’s youth. He expresses hope that through these efforts, the narrative surrounding mental health in Montana can shift from one of despair to one of innovation and hope. “If we can start to make the headlines around mental health and substance use disorders in Montana a little bit less horrible… it would be cool if Montana were famous for being one of the states that starts coming up with creative solutions.”
In conclusion, Dr. Arzubi’s Frontier Psychiatry demonstrates a proactive approach to tackling mental health challenges in Montana. By focusing on innovative strategies like telepsychiatry and single-session interventions, Arzubi is committed to making mental health care more accessible and effective for the state’s youth. The future of mental health in Montana may very well be shaped by these creative and evidence-based solutions.
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