BOISE, Idaho — Central District Health has partnered with local agencies to offer free counseling sessions for families within Boise, Kuna and West Ada school districts.
The Student and Family Assistance Program (SFAP) is a partnership with Central District Health (CDH), Idaho-based BPA Health and the three school districts that offers free counseling sessions for families within the school district. Eligible family members can take advantage of the program, even if the student chooses not to.
The program provides "short-term, solutions-focused resources" to help with a variety of things, such as academic pressure, drug and alcohol issues, emotional health, relationship skills, behavior concerns, parenting, anger management and other issues, said a news release from CDH. The release also stated that 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," Sierra Kistler, CDH Health Education Specialist said. "It's important students and families know about resources available to them and their loved ones."
With school going out of session for the winter break, BPA Health wants to share with families and students that counseling continues to be available throughout the break so they can receive access to help, either in person or virtually.
SFAP has a crisis hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for families or individuals that may need immediate assistance. The number for the crisis hotline is 833-935-3816.
CDH offers free suicide prevention trainings, as well as safety supplies like medication and gun lock boxes for members of the Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley counties. Contact CDH at this email for more information.
In addition to other resources available, anyone in Idaho can call or text 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which is a hotline for people in crisis or anyone looking for help.
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