Free Resources Support Students’ Mental Health During Winter Break

Central District Health reminds students and their families that there are free mental health resources available during the winter break.

The Student and Family Assistance Program (SFAP) is a partnership between Central District Health, Idaho-based BPA Health and the Boise, Kuna and West Ada school districts, that includes free counseling sessions for families within the school districts all year long. Eligible family members 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.

“Recently, there has been an increase in youth suicides in Southern Idaho and junior high and high school students in the Treasure Valley have been identified as a population of increased risk,” said Sierra Kistler, CDH Health Education Specialist. “It’s important students and families know about resources available to them and their loved ones.”

Now that school is out, BPA Health wants to share with students and their families that in-person and virtual counseling continues to be available through the winter school break, so that they can access the help they need in a timely manner.

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.

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.