Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation has announced the return of its statewide mental health initiative, Shut Out the Stigma, in partnership with BIO Girls and several North Dakota hockey teams. The initiative aims to bring mental health conversations into public spaces and support community well-being.
This year, the BCBSND Caring Foundation is collaborating with BIO Girls, an organization focused on improving the mental health and self-esteem of adolescent girls. The program will work alongside four hockey teams: Bismarck Bobcats, University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks, Fargo Force, and Minot Minotauros. During February and March home games, the Caring Foundation will make a donation to BIO Girls for the first 20 saves made at each game.
Dan Conrad, board chair of the BCBSND Caring Foundation, said: “Reducing stigma around mental health begins with open dialogue and intentional support. By raising awareness and expanding access to resources, we’re helping create safer, more supportive environments for all.”
Missy Heilman, founder and CEO of BIO Girls, added: “Thanks to this initiative with the BCBSND Caring Foundation, we’re advancing our mission to support girls across the Midwest, combining movement with connection, mentorship, and skill-building that fosters emotional regulation and lasting self-confidence.”
A recent Health of America report indicates that rates of major depressive disorder have increased among youth between 2019 and 2023—especially teens aged 15–17. In North Dakota specifically, nearly half of residents live in areas lacking enough mental health care providers according to findings from the Social Drivers of Health Study.
Shut Out the Stigma seeks to encourage open discussion about mental health issues while building understanding within communities. The BCBSND Caring Foundation aims to ensure that people of all ages have access to compassionate care and resources needed for healthier lives.
The initiative encourages individuals to talk openly about mental health with others in their communities; check in on those who may be struggling; use their platforms to raise awareness; and get involved through volunteering or partnering with organizations focused on strengthening mental well-being.
BCBSND’s efforts are part of its broader commitment as a not-for-profit mutual insurance provider dedicated to improving member health through community partnerships such as those facilitated by its Caring Foundation. The organization supports sustainable health initiatives throughout North Dakota by working with groups like Noridian Healthcare Solutions that manage government programs (source). As a leading provider serving hundreds of thousands statewide (source), BCBSND focuses on making healthcare accessible through comprehensive plans for individuals and groups (source).
For more information on mental health tips or to read related reports such as the Social Drivers of Health Report, visit bcbsnd.com/shutout.
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About Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Caring Foundation:
Founded in 1989 as a private charitable organization under section 501(c)(3), the BCBSND Caring Foundation supports key health issues affecting North Dakotans through giving programs. Its staff collaborates with grantees to promote nonprofit sustainability and drive long-term improvements in community well-being.
