BCBSND Caring Foundation partners with North Dakota hockey teams and FirstLink to Shut Out the Stigma of mental health

FARGO, N.D. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation is once again teaming up with North Dakota hockey teams to Shut Out the Stigma of mental health. As part of this initiative, BCBSND’s Caring Foundation will make donations for the first 20 saves of each home game made by the partnering teams to FirstLink. Altogether, the Caring Foundation is teaming up with four hockey teams: Bismarck Bobcats, University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks, Fargo Force and the Minot Minotauros. By supporting the work of FirstLink, like their 24-hour helpline, crisis intervention and mental health training programs, this initiative will raise money to help North Dakota “keep hope on the line.”

"It's important to remember that mental health is just as crucial as physical health," said Amber Blomberg, BCBSND Foundation and Community Engagement Executive Director. "By teaming up with our North Dakotan hockey teams, we aim to not only raise donations for FirstLink’s services but also bring our community together through the love of hockey. Let's shut out the stigma and achieve better mental health together."

Research from the Social Drivers of Health Study shows that as of August 2022 over 355,000 North Dakotans live in an area with a shortage of mental health providers and support programs. Also, counties with the largest percentage of adults reporting poor mental health are in largely rural, central parts of the state and reservation areas. Investing in FirstLink will help fund life-saving phone calls as well as follow-up care for mental health support participants. 

You can learn more about Shut Out the Stigma, FirstLink and the Social Drivers of Health Study at bcbsnd.com/caring foundation.

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 FirstLink
FirstLink is a free, confidential service offering listening and support, referrals to resources/help, and crisis intervention 24 hours a day. FirstLink answers the 211 Information & Referral Helpline, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and several contract lines providing support to other human service agencies. FirstLink provides these services across the entire state of North Dakota and parts of Minnesota.