Peace Garden News

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation has partnered with several local baseball teams to launch the "Strike Out the Stigma" initiative. This campaign aims to raise funds and awareness for mental health services by donating to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention North Dakota. For every strikeout thrown during July home games by participating teams, a donation will be made.

Samantha Christopherson, executive director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's North Dakota and South Dakota Chapter, expressed gratitude: "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."

The BCBSND Caring Foundation is urging community members to engage in mental health awareness activities through resources available on their website. Dan Conrad, BCBSND Caring Foundation Board Chair, emphasized the campaign's significance: “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.”

Statistics indicate an increase in mental health challenges in North Dakota, with one out of eight adults reporting mentally unhealthy days. The state also faces a shortage of mental health care providers. Since 2023, BCBSND has collaborated with sports teams and organizations to expand access to mental health services across North Dakota.

The BCBSND Caring Foundation was established in 1989 as a charitable organization focusing on improving health outcomes in North Dakota communities. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention works towards preventing suicide through education and outreach programs.