Boise State’s BroncoBOLD Brings Student-Led Mental Health Support From Campus To Classrooms

Boise State's BroncoBOLD Brings Student-Led Mental Health Support From Campus To Classrooms

A recent feature from KTVB spotlights BroncoBOLD, Boise State University’s student-athlete initiative that is helping students of all ages talk about mental health and find support during Suicide Prevention Month and beyond. The program started on campus and now reaches younger students through school partnerships and community events.

What BroncoBOLD Is

BroncoBOLD began as a student-athlete-led effort in 2019 to reduce stigma, promote help-seeking, and build resilience among peers. Boise State’s overview notes that the effort has evolved into trainings, summits, and community engagement activities designed to normalize conversations about mental health. For behavioral health leaders, this is a practical model of peer-driven prevention wrapped in athletics and school culture.

How It Reaches High Schools

The program’s High School Ambassador model equips teens to lead campaigns in their own buildings. This school year opened with a statewide summit at the Stueckle Sky Center on August 19, 2025, bringing more than 75 students and administrators from 16 high schools together for planning and training. Earlier in the year, Boise State Athletics named six new ambassador schools to join the growing cohort.

Community Touchpoints That Make It Stick

BroncoBOLD pairs student leadership with approachable events. One example is “Chalk the Walk,” where students cover sidewalks with positive messages during Suicide Prevention Week, creating a visible prompt to check in with friends and connect to help. Athletics programs are also designating select competitions this fall to highlight mental health resources and encourage conversations in the stands as well as on the field.

Why It Matters

• Student-led messages lower the barrier to speaking up and can surface concerns earlier than adult-only interventions.

• Cross-campus collaboration builds consistency so students hear the same language in class, at practice, and at community events.

• Athletics offers a natural platform to reach entire schools and families, not just those already in counseling.

The KTVB profile underscores that this approach is reaching learners at different ages and in everyday settings, which is where many first steps toward care actually happen.

What To Watch Next

As the ambassador network grows, expect more districts to adapt BroncoBOLD’s playbook: student leadership training, regular awareness touchpoints, and clear pathways to resources. For behavioral health organizations, partnerships like this can align prevention, screening, and referral workflows across schools and athletics for a coherent community strategy.