Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) has partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to promote mental health awareness and prevent suicide across the state. Through their collaboration with AFSP, they help fund educational programs, community outreach, and advocacy efforts to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. Together, they organize awareness walks, provide training for recognizing warning signs, and support survivors of suicide loss.

“Seeing these players — many of whom are college athletes themselves — talk openly about mental health sends a powerful message,” BCBSND Caring Foundation Partner Dani Haekenkamp said. “It tells young fans that it’s okay to not be okay, and that help is always available.”

Strikeouts mean more than just an out for the Hot Tots and Honeybees in July. For every strikeout, Blue Cross Blue Shield will donate to a mental health organization to “Strike Out the Stigma.”

In years past, over $5,000 were donated to mental health organizations, that’s more than 350 strikeouts.