Shut Out the Stigma
Let’s eliminate stigma from the lineup.
Teaming up to improve access to mental health services
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota is partnering with Sources of Strength to provide four rural schools across North Dakota with the necessary funding to bring mental health programming into their schools. During our campaign, for the first 20 saves each home game made by the goalies of the Bismarck Bobcats, Fargo Force, and University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks, BCBSND’s Caring Foundation will donate $50 to Sources of Strength to help expand mental health access to youth across the state.
Mental health services available in North Dakota
If you or someone you know needs mental health support, there are many ways to reach out for help.
Dial 988
If you are thinking about suicide
or worried about another
Dial 911
In other cases of emergency
Dial 211
For free, confidential resources,
listening and support.
Or text your zip code to 898‑211.
Let’s Eliminate Stigma from the Lineup
We’re challenging each team’s goalie to complete 20 saves each home game – for each save, BCBSND Caring Foundation will donate $50 to fund Sources of Strength programming in North Dakota schools. Our goal is to raise $24,000 to provide four rural North Dakota schools with the necessary funding to bring Sources of Strength curriculum into their schools.
The roughly $6,000 standard program implementation costs include:
- Front end buy-in and preparation support
- 3-6 hours of Adult Advisor Training
- 4-6 hours of Peer Leader Training
- Travel cost, training & campaign materials
- Ongoing follow up support and technical assistance
Shut Out the Stigma “Saves” Final Scoreboard
$24,000
Grand Total Donations
448
Grand Total Saves
$11,550
Fargo Force
$8,850
Bismarck Bobcats
$2,000
UND Fighting Hawks
$1,600
Additional Donation from Caring Foundation
State of the stigma
Mental and behavioral health are vital elements of overall well-being. Unfortunately, many people feel shame or reluctance with talking openly about it.
Data shows mental health issues are a major concern in North Dakota. The recent Social Determinants of Health report, by the BCBSND Caring Foundation and the NDSU Center for Social Research, offers key details:
As of August 2022, over 355,000 North Dakotans lived in an area with a shortage of mental health providers and support.
Counties with the largest percentage of adults reporting poor mental health are in largely rural central parts of the state and reservation areas.
The percentage of ND adults reporting two weeks or more of poor mental health each month is increasing, while the percentage of high schoolers feeling sad and hopeless doubled over the past decade.
About Sources of Strength
In 1998, after his involvement in the statewide intervention and crisis response through the Police Youth Bureau in North Dakota, Mark LoMurray left his job to begin what would become Sources of Strength. With the vision to move further upstream in youth suicide prevention efforts, Mark knew that something had to be done to move beyond reactionary and crisis-driven responses.
- Today Sources of Strength partners with thousands of elementary, middle and high schools across the United States and Canada to:
- Identify and train adult advisors
- Recruit and train peer leaders
- Guide peer-to-peer messaging
- Problem solve and strategize
- And so much more!
