Written by Jake Zamora and Aidan Mattingly:
Boise State Athletics hosted the BroncoBOLD High School Mental Health Summit on August 19 at the Stueckle Sky Center, bringing together more than 75 students and administrators from 16 high schools across Idaho.
The event marked another step forward for BroncoBOLD, a three-year ambassador program that equips high school students with the tools to launch mental health campaigns on their own campuses.
Launched in 2019 as a student-athlete-led initiative, the BroncoBOLD program has steadily grown from four local schools to 16. Eagle, Kuna, Mountain Home and Rocky Mountain are among the high schools beginning their first year in the program.
While others such as Bishop Kelly, Centennial, Meridian and Owyhee are in their second year. Borah, Capital, Marsing and Timberline are completing their third and final year of training.The progression is designed so each school gains responsibility and leadership over time. By the end of the three-year cycle, students and staff are prepared to run sustainable, student-driven mental health awareness programs within their communities.
Throughout the summit, speakers emphasized the importance of reframing language surrounding mental health. Rather than viewing mental health through the lens of illness or crisis, the program encourages students to view it as part of everyday life — in school, sports, relationships and personal well-being.
Stephanie Donaldson, assistant athletic director for athletic counseling and mental performance at Boise State, said the program is built on empowering students.
“The most powerful change happens when students are the ones leading the conversation,” she said. “When the message comes from a peer it carries a weight and authenticity that adults simply can’t replicate.”
BroncoBOLD places students at the center of the movement. The initiative encourages youth to become advocates not only by raising awareness, but also by practicing responsible leadership. The program promotes the idea of learning how to share personal experiences in safe ways, creating supportive environments for peers and working alongside trusted adults such as teachers and counselors.
“Implementing BroncoBOLD in our school is really important in the sense that it brings people together,” Mountain View High School sophomore Tytus Bendorf said. “I think spreading awareness for mental health is something that can really unite people.”
High school-aged kids are most susceptible to disorders such as anxiety and depression, according to multiple studies including the Children’s Health Council. The adolescent years represent a multitude of changes, pressures and transformations when it comes to one’s identity and self-image. Many high school students have little to no resources to combat mental health issues, signifying the importance of programs like BroncoBOLD being implemented in schools.
Additionally, student-athletes in particular may be more likely to suffer from mental health issues. Stress from their respective sports on top of academics and social pressures can enhance negative feelings that they may already be facing.
“Being a student-athlete, you’re going to have a lot of stress about games and the sport itself,” Ryder Hollifield, a junior at Mountain View High School, said. “Being a baseball player, by the time playoffs come around, it’s the same time as when finals are so the stress really piles on.”
Donaldson noted building a foundation of supportive adults is essential. “Peer-led voices can really flourish when grounded in the foundation of safe and supportive adults,” she said. “We want high school students to know they’re supported in their advocacy efforts and that they’re never alone in the work.”
Supported by the Holland M. Ware Charitable Foundation, the program provides schools with mentorship from Boise State student-athletes and staff advisors. As members of BroncoBOLD, students also have access to resources like Teen Mental Health First Aid certification workshops. Administrators receive ongoing training and support to help sustain the program beyond the summit.
Success, Donaldson explained, isn’t about statistics – but culture. “Success for us isn’t measured by one single number — it’s about a culture change. The goal is to build communities where talking about mental health feels as normal as talking about academics or athletics.”
As BroncoBOLD expands, its mission remains grounded in its three core pillars: reducing stigma, raising awareness and cultivating resiliency. By empowering students to lead the charge, Boise State hopes to spread a message of hope and help not only to their high schools, but also to the greater Idaho community.
