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BOISE, May 13, 2024 – Central District Health reminds students and their families in the Boise, Kuna and West Ada school districts that there are free mental health resources available during the summer break.
The Student and Family Assistance Program (SFAP), a partnership between Central District Health, Idaho-based BPA Health and the Boise, Kuna and West Ada school districts, includes free counseling sessions for families with children enrolled in the school districts all year long. Eligible family members — parents, guardians and siblings — can use the program even if the student does not participate.
The program provides short-term, solutions-focused resources to help with academic pressures; drug and alcohol issues; emotional health such as depression, anxiety or grief; relationship skills; behavior concerns; stress; parenting; anger management; adjusting to change; and other personal problems. The program includes five separate sessions per mental or behavioral issue.
“Accessing mental healthcare services is challenging even in Idaho’s most populous county, making it truly remarkable that students and their families have swift and convenient access to resources and support through the SFAP,” said Connor Young, CDH health policy analyst. “Life’s challenges do not just stop because it is summer break.”
BPA Health wants to share with students and their families that in-person and virtual counseling continues to be available through the summer, so that they can access the help they need in a timely manner.
“We are passionate about youth mental health,” said Dana Menlove, chief operating officer of BPA Health. “We partner with schools to provide solution-focused resources for students and their families, making mental health services accessible and easier to navigate.”
SFAP features a crisis hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week for families and individuals who need immediate assistance. To call the crisis hotline, dial 833-935-3816.
CDH offers free suicide prevention trainings as well as safety supplies like medication lock boxes and gun locks to community members in Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley counties. Please contact CDH at suicideprevention@cdh.idaho.gov to learn more or visit the CDH Storefront to order free resources.
In addition, anyone in Idaho can call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else; to speak or chat with a trained listener, call or text 988.
About Central District Health
Central District Health, Public Health District IV, is one of seven public health districts within the state of Idaho, serving the counties of Ada, Boise, Elmore, and Valley. With a vision of Healthy People in Healthy Communities, CDH’s emphasis is on decreasing risk factors for chronic disease, improving quality of life and increasing the years of healthy life among residents.
Contacts:
Annie Reeder, Sr. Business Development Manager BPA Health
Office: 800-211-9477 | Cell: 208-991-7934
annie.reeder@bpahealth.com
Trent Young, Public Information Specialist
Office: 208-327-8525 | Cell: 986-224-1089
tyoung@cdh.idaho.org | cdh.idaho.gov/news
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