The BCBSND Caring Foundation announced on Apr. 1 that its annual Shut Out the Stigma initiative, held in partnership with several North Dakota hockey teams, raised funds to support youth mental health through donations to BIO Girls. During February and March home games, the Bismarck Bobcats, Fargo Force, Minot Minotauros, and University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks made over 500 saves. For each save, a donation was made to BIO Girls, benefiting nearly 100 girls across the state.
This initiative aims to promote early support for youth mental health by transforming athletic achievements into direct community impact. The BCBSND Caring Foundation and BIO Girls also attended games to raise awareness about available mental health resources for young people.
“Hockey brings people together, and that is exactly why it is such a powerful place to talk about mental health,” said Amber Blomberg, executive director of the BCBSND Caring Foundation. “We are taking a topic that can feel heavy and bringing it to a space that feels fun and familiar, so more North Dakotans feel comfortable speaking up and reaching out.”
BIO Girls focuses on prevention and early intervention by equipping adolescent girls with tools for emotional well-being before challenges escalate. “We are deeply grateful for the financial support and awareness this initiative has brought to our mission,” said Missy Heilman, founder and CEO of BIO Girls. “Accessibility for all girls, no matter their circumstances, is at the heart of our program… We also saw a meaningful spike in website traffic… Thank you, BCBSND Caring Foundation.” Support from this year’s campaign will help expand access at no cost for nearly 100 participants.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota works to improve community health through affiliations and foundation efforts according to the official website. The organization partners with entities like Noridian Healthcare Solutions that manage government health programs according to its official site. It ranks as the leading provider of healthcare coverage in North Dakota—serving hundreds of thousands statewide—and focuses on promoting member well-being through simplified care options according to company information.
Looking ahead, BCBSND will launch its fourth season of Strike Out the Stigma in July with local baseball teams; every strikeout during July home games will generate donations supporting additional mental health nonprofits.
