Bronco Athletics Announce Activities for Designated Mental Health Awareness Games
9/1/2025 2:31:00 PM | General
Fall sport programs to raise awareness around the importance of mental healthÂ
BOISE, Idaho – Boise State Athletics and BroncoBOLD, a student-athlete led mental health initiative, has announced designated games/competitions for fall sport programs to share the importance of mental health. The goal of each designated games or competitions are to raise awareness of mental health resources available to the community, promote help seeking behavior, and foster a culture of care. Designated games/competitions include the following.
- Football vs. Eastern Washington - September 5
- Volleyball vs. Oregon State - September 6
- Soccer vs. UTEP -Â September 7
- Cross Country @ Joe Piane Invitational, South Bend, IN - October 3
"Sport gives us a powerful stage to remind everyone that mental health matters," said Jeramiah Dickey, Director of Athletics. "I am grateful for our team and the time and energy spent promoting our BroncoBOLD initiative in partnership with campus and our community. We want to ensure everyone knows that help and hope are always available."
Prior to gates opening for Friday's home opener against Eastern Washington, Bronco Athletics staff and student-athletes will provide information on available community resources within the tailgate and games area at DeChevrieux Field with assistance from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The first 100 fans to visit the BroncoBOLD pop-up before the game will receive a complimentary clear stadium bag.
The first 200 students that enter the stadium will receive an orange BroncoBOLD t-shirt.
Throughout the game, players, coaches and staff will wear green* ribbon patches and Mental Health Matters attire. In addition, every Bronco football helmet will feature a green ribbon sticker.
During halftime, the team will recognize all 16 BroncoBOLD H.S. Ambassador schools on the field. The BroncoBOLD H.S. Ambassador Program is a three-year program designed to provide education and tools to support motivated high school students and administrators to become active leaders and advocates of mental health on their campus and in their community. Throughout the academic year, each of the 16 schools will host their own BOLD games for mental health awareness.
During the second half, cheer, dance, and Buster will wear BroncoBOLD Mental Health Matters attire.
"We are committed to utilizing Bronco Athletics to build community connections, raise awareness and highlight local resources to support health and well being," said Stephanie Donaldson, Assistant Athletic Director of Athletic Counseling & Performance Psychology.
As fans exit Albertsons Stadium, Bronco Athletics staff and student-athletes will distribute chalk kits in preparation for BroncoBOLD's Chalk the Walk for Mental Health on Monday, September 8, the first day of Suicide Prevention Week.
For the volleyball game against Oregon State and soccer match against UTEP student-athletes, coaches and staff will wear green ribbon patches and Mental Health Matters attire. Fans will also be able to pick-up chalk kits at both competitions.
Bronco cross country student-athletes, coaches and staff will wear green ribbon patches and Mental Health Matters attire at the Joe Piane Invitational in South Bend on October 3.
BroncoBOLD and Boise State Wellness Services will host events throughout September 8-12 for Suicide Prevention Week. Visit https://www.boisestate.edu/suicide-prevention/ for a complete list of resources and events.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, please dial 9-8-8 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or call the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline at 208-398-4357.
For more information on current suicide research, visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
About BroncoBOLD
In 2019, BroncoBOLD was created by a committee of Boise State student-athletes, representing multiple sport programs. All committee members were passionate about mental health advocacy work and dedicated to championing a message of hope, help, and resiliency with fellow student-athletes and their community utilizing the platform of sport. Visit BroncoBOLD to learn more.
About BroncoBOLD High School Ambassador Program
The BroncoBOLD H.S. Ambassador Program is a three-year program designed to provide education and tools to support motivated high school students and administrators to become active leaders and advocates of mental health on their campus and in their community. The program was made possible through a generous grant from locally based Holland M. Ware Foundation. The program began in the fall of 2023 with four local schools participating: Borah, Capital, Marsing, and Timberline High Schools. In May 2024, six more schools were added: Bishop Kelly, Boise, Centennial, Meridian, Nampa and Owyhee High Schools. In May 2025, six more schools were selected, including:Â Eagle, Glenns Ferry, Kuna, Mountain Home, Mountain View and Rocky Mountain High Schools.
About 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States and its territories. The 988 Lifeline consists of a national network of over 200 local crisis centers, combining local care and resources with national standards and best practices.
* Green is the designated color for mental health awareness because it symbolizes hope and resilience. The color is associated with life, renewal, nature, and energy, and is thought to have healing properties. It's also the color of balance, growth, and harmony. Green is used in mental health awareness campaigns to encourage people to speak out, get help, and take action—all of which are important steps in the journey to recovery.
