2023-2024 CMN Champion for Montana

When you meet Brooke Glennon today, it’s hard to imagine that she used to be violent towards her mother.  Standing no taller than 4’10 1/2 “, Brooke is confident yet soft-spoken. She doesn’t shy away from eye contact, has an infectious smile, and a youthful sense of humor when demonstrating her card-dealing techniques by flawlessly doing the double-bridge shuffle, a skill she learned while being treated at Shodair Children’s Hospital for major depression.

Glennon graduated among the top of her class from Butte High School and now attends the University of Montana. She was named the 2024 National Children’s Miracle Network Champion for Montana and speaks openly about her journey advocating that others do the same.

“I just want to help others know that there is light no matter how dark it is,” Glennon said. “I want to help others believe they can do it.”

Glennon proudly spends her time advocating for those with mental illness alongside Shodair.  She has shared her story locally, at partner events, and in front of delegates at Wash. D.C.

Craig Aasved, CEO at Shodair, says Brooke’s bravery provides a powerful story for others and continues to be in awe of her growth and perseverance.

“It’s young people like Brooke that will help change how mental health is viewed in Montana and across the country,” Aasved said. “I couldn’t be more proud of her, excited for this next chapter in her life, and honored she is allowing us to walk alongside her.”

The champion program has been raising awareness about the importance of children’s hospitals and Shodair has been participating since the late 1990’s. Glennon joins a long list of children who become champions of their struggles and voices for thousands helped by Shodair’s services.

Glennon’s depression began with the passing of her father. It was a few years after that she began to become more and more withdrawn, explosively angry, and openly suicidal expressing the desire to go “be with her dad.” She had three stays at Shodair Children’s Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in Helena, about an hour up the interstate from the mining city. Each time Brooke got a little more of what she needed to be emotional stable. Her ability to identify and talk about her feelings; engage in healthy activities like karate. Each stay at Shodair helped and she committed a little more with the treatment plan individually development for her specifically.  Brooke has done all the hard wok to become the healthy, vivacious young lady she is today, and the professionals at Shodair helped along the way.