Start the conversation.
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among North Dakotans ages 15 to 44, and yet nearly the entire state is designated as a mental health shortage area.
Teaming up to improve access to mental health services
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota is partnering with Nexus-PATH Family Healing to raise awareness about mental health resources this summer. For every strikeout thrown at July home games by the Bismarck Larks, Minot Hot Tots, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks and the Badlands Big Sticks, BCBSND's Caring Foundation will donate $50 to Nexus-PATH. All donations will be given directly to Nexus-PATH to support their programming. Check back often to see our progress towards ending the stigma.
Strikeout Scoreboard
$16,750
Grand Total Donations
335
Grand Total Strikeouts
$2,250
Bismarck Larks
$6,200
Fargo-Moorhead
RedHawks
$4,100
Minot Hot Tots
$4,200
Badlands Big Sticks
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.
Nexus-PATH
Resources, tools and tips for adult and children’s mental health, fostering, therapy and more on their website.
Start the Conversation
It may be difficult to talk to our children or loved ones about mental health, but it can build a foundation of trust and open communication, encouraging children to express their feelings and concerns. Open conversations about mental health can also normalize seeking help and reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues, making it easier to seek help when needed. Additionally, it allows parents to identify and address any potential problems early, ensuring timely intervention and support. Below are tips that can be used to start the conversation around mental health.
Model Healthy Mental Health Habits
Children often re-enact how they observe their parents approaching and reacting to problems. If you can model that addressing mental health struggles together and using support is important and necessary, you can help teach them these skills and create open communication for when they may be struggling.
Provide Support Early
Let them know right away that you are there for support and help them find other healthy supports as soon as you can. Intervening early can help keep struggles manageable.
Check in Regularly
Create intentional time to frequently check in on hopes, fears, and concerns. Do this more often when life circumstances arise that are naturally difficult times, for example, the death of someone they are close to or the ending of a relationship.
Keep a Safe Environment
Keeping quick and lethal means out of reach can provide you more time as a parent to intervene and support your child.
Be Accepting
Promoting a family environment of acceptance and facilitating healthy connections can help your child feel more confident, loved, and safe – and is paramount to decreasing suicidal behavior.
These tips come from Nexus-PATH’s resource library.
Join the summer of strikeouts
The BCBSND Caring Foundation is partnering with Nexus-PATH Family Healing to support their mental health resources across the state of North Dakota.
Funds raised help support the following:
- $50 - Provides sensory items help ease anxiety so our youth can focus internally
- $100 - Provides art therapy supplies for a youth in our care
- $250 - Provides one session of behavioral health therapy for a child
- $500 - Provides enrichment activities for youth to express their emotions in positive ways
- $1,500 - Provides furnishings for an apartment to help an Independent Living Program youth with the necessities they need
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 Nexus-PATH Family Healing
Changing One Life Changes Everything.
With their innovative, customized approach, Nexus-PATH provides outpatient therapy, residential treatment, and foster care to help children, families and individuals struggling with emotional and behavioral health issues through their nine North Dakota locations.
