In 2024, the Strike Out the Stigma initiative focused on “starting the conversation” and encouraging others to talk about their mental health in effort to de-stigmatize it.
- June 3, 2025
- Press Release
BCBSND Caring Foundation partners with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to Strike Out the Stigma
Initiative to raise funds and increase awareness around accessing mental health services.
FARGO, N.D. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation is teaming up with the Badlands Big Sticks, Bismarck Larks, Minot Honeybees, Minot Hot Tots and Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks to Strike Out the Stigma of accessing mental health services. For every strikeout thrown at July home games by these teams, the BCBSND Caring Foundation will make a donation to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention North Dakota. All donations will be given directly to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to support their suicide prevention efforts and educational programming.
"We are thrilled and honored that Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota has selected our organization to receive the support from the Strike Out the Stigma campaign. We strive to change the culture around mental health, and we are so excited to be able to get in front of a new audience,” said Samantha Christopherson, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention executive director of the North Dakota and South Dakota Chapter. “In addition, the dollars donated from this campaign will allow our chapter to provide more prevention education programs and loss resources to communities across North Dakota.”
The BCBSND Caring Foundation and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention encourage community members to step up to the plate for mental health—by checking in with themselves, supporting those around them, and using the resources available at www.bcbsnd.com/strikeout to build a stronger, more connected North Dakota.
“Strike Out the Stigma is more than a campaign. It’s a collective promise to show up for one another, especially when it matters most. It’s okay to not be okay and we aim to help create environments where people feel safe to have a conversation on mental health and its importance,” said Dan Conrad, BCBSND Caring Foundation Board Chair.
In 2021, one out of every eight adults in North Dakota reported at least two weeks of mentally unhealthy days in the past month (13%), which is up five points from 8% in 2013. Nearly half of North Dakotans live in an area experiencing a shortage of mental health care providers. The Caring Foundation began partnering with local sports teams and mental health organizations in 2023, to provide opportunities to statewide organizations to expand their reach for mental health services. The first two years resulted in almost 750 strikeouts, which generated impactful funding for The Village Family Service Center and Nexus-PATH Family Healing. BCBSND also partners with statewide hockey teams for Shut Out the Stigma, which supported Sources of Strength mental health programming in four rural North Dakota Schools and helped fund FirstLink’s 988 suicide and crisis lifeline and 211 resource line.
About the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Caring Foundation
Established in 1989, the BCBSND Caring Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Through giving and investing, the Caring Foundation focuses on key health issues to help improve the health and well-being of North Dakotans and their communities. Caring Foundation staff collaborate with grantees to support non-profit sustainability, promote shared outcomes and create lasting change.
About American Foundation for Suicide Prevention North Dakota Chapter
The grassroots work they do focuses on eliminating the loss of life from suicide by: delivering innovative prevention programs, educating the public about risk factors and warning signs, raising funds for suicide research and programs, and reaching out to those individuals who have lost someone to suicide.
As a part of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s growing nationwide network of chapters, they bring together people from all backgrounds who want to prevent suicide in our communities. Families and friends who have lost someone to suicide, vulnerable individuals, mental health professionals, clergy, educators, students, community/business leaders, and many others energize the chapter.
