The family and friends of a 13-year-old Billings girl who died by suicide last October are pressing for expanded mental health and counseling resources in Montana schools, channeling their grief into advocacy in the months since her death.

Marilyn Orendorff died October 24 in a field near Skyview High School in Billings. Her death shook the community around the school and prompted conversations among parents, educators, and local officials about what resources exist — and what gaps remain — for young Montanans in crisis.

The family's push comes amid a broader national reckoning over youth mental health, and Montana has historically faced challenges in access to mental health services given its rural geography and provider shortages. Suicide is among the leading causes of death for Montana teenagers, and the state has grappled with elevated rates compared to national averages for years.

Residents in Helena and statewide who are concerned about a young person can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. The Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline and school-based counseling programs through Helena Public Schools are also available to local families.