The Boise State University athletic department is again partnering with local high schools in a program called BroncoBOLD to help students build mental health support systems in their schools.
As reported by Boise NBC affiliate KTVB, schools submitted applications to be one of the six selected for the BroncoBOLD Ambassador Program — with Boise, Nampa, Meridian, Centennial, Owyhee and Bishop Kelly gaining acceptance in this, the program's second year.
Students at Treasure Valley High School are working with Boise State athletes to create mental health campaigns for all six of the chosen high school campuses. Four schools were chosen in the program's inaugural year.
This year's launch coincides with National Suicide Prevention Week, which begins Sept. 8.
“I think getting a program to help other people have an outlet or a resource would be awesome to have in high school because I'm lucky I have parents that I can talk to, but I know that not necessarily everyone else has that opportunity,” Meridian senior Athena Little told KTVB Tuesday.
On Tuesday, students from the six participant schools and the Boise State athletic department began brainstorming ideas for mental health support for teen students.
“It's a great opportunity for us and one of the things that drew us to the program is the role that students play in promoting mental health in their schools," Boise School District activities and athletics director Brian Walker said. "You know, the focus of BroncoBOLD is increasing awareness, developing resilience, and reducing stigma."
Each high school has a Boise State student-athlete and administrative employee to serve as consultants. Once a school is accepted into BroncoBOLD, it has consultation period with Boise State for the next three years.
The hope, according to KTVB's Audrielle Tackett, is that high schools are able to continue the programs on their own from there, ultimately making mental health a priority for students across the area.
