

2025 Idaho Mental Health Month Campaign
Idaho Mental Health Month Postcard to Self Workshop
Brought to you by Empower Idaho and Boise Hive
Sat., May 17, 2025 | 4 – 6 PM MDT
No-cost | All are welcome!
Where: Boise Hive | 3907 Custer Dr, Boise, ID 83705
Get free Mental Health Month merch | Stay after for a free concert!
Creating art can help improve your mental wellbeing. Stop by this workshop to decorate a mental health postcard, create a message for your future self, and connect with community. Join us as we celebrate Mental Health Month!
One way you can observe Mental Health Month is by sharing these 2025 toolkits and resources from national and Idaho organizations:
- National Council for Mental Well-Being – Mental Health Awareness Month 2025
- Workplace Mental Health – May Is Mental Health Month Toolkit
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit
- National Alliance on Mental Illness – Mental Health Awareness Month
- St. Luke’s – Help Is Here! Suicide Prevention | Mental and Behavioral Health Support
2024 Idaho Mental Health Month Campaign
2024 Idaho Mental Health Month Art Exhibition Reel
The 2024 Idaho Mental Health Month Art Exhibition Reel honors the mental health journeys of our fellow Idahoans through artistic expression in a creative and interactive video. This video showcases art pieces and highlights artists’ experiences and relationship with mental health. Watch the full video on our YouTube!
Annually, Empower Idaho partners with the seven Idaho Behavioral Health Boards (BHBs) to recognize a mental health advocate in their region. The BHBs select an individual in their respective communities who exemplifies community advocacy, resiliency, and passion for mental health. Each advocate’s work embodies these qualities and deserves acknowledgement and celebration.
We look forward to awarding the 2024 Idaho Mental Health Advocates!
Congratulations to the 2024 Idaho Mental Health Advocates!
Region 1: Kelly Rhoads read the award presentation letter here
Region 2: Sharlene Johnson read the award presentation letter here
Region 3: Tricia Ellinger read the award presentation letter here
Region 5: Dr. Ryan Hulbert read the award presentation letter here
Region 6: Effie Jones read the award presentation letter here
Region 7: Nancy Espeseth read the award presentation letter here
Empower Idaho’s Program Manager, Alejandra Del Toro, spoke about our Idaho Mental Health Month activities on the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s Idaho Behavioral Health Authority podcast. Listen to the podcast on Spotify or watch it on YouTube starting at 16:16 to learn more about Empower Idaho and our Mental Health Month celebrations!
2023 Idaho Mental Health Month Campaign
Empower Idaho 2023 Mental Health Month Art Exhibition
The 2023 Idaho Mental Health Month Art Exhibition honors the mental health journeys of our fellow Idahoans through artistic expression. Artists have the opportunity to speak about their pieces and share their experience and relationship with mental health.
Exhibición De Arte Del Mes De La Salud Mental De Idaho 2023
La Exhibición de Arte del Mes de la Salud Mental de Idaho 2023 honrará las jornadas de salud mental de nuestros residentes de Idaho a través de la expresión artística. Los artistas tendrán la oportunidad de hablar sobre sus piezas y compartir sus experiencias y relaciones con la salud mental.
Annually, Empower Idaho partners with the seven Idaho Behavioral Health Boards (BHBs) to recognize a mental health advocate in their region. The BHBs select an individual in their respective communities who exemplifies community advocacy, resiliency, and passion for mental health. Each advocate’s work embodies these qualities and deserves acknowledgement and celebration.
Congratulations to the 2023 Idaho Mental Health Advocates!
Region 1: Claudia Miewald read the award presentation letter here
Region 2: Cindy Harris-Lindauer read the award presentation letter here
Region 3: Kristen Heller read the award presentation letter here
Region 5: Jamie Shelamer read the award presentation letter here
Region 6: Matt Hardin and Myrna Daniels read the award presentation letter here
Region 7: Crista Henderson read the award presentation letter here
2022 Idaho Mental Health Month Campaign
Annually, Empower Idaho partners with the seven Idaho Behavioral Health Boards (BHBs) to recognize a mental health advocate in their region. The BHBs select an individual in their respective communities who exemplifies community advocacy, resiliency, and passion for mental health. Each advocate’s work embodies these qualities and deserves acknowledgement and celebration.
Congratulations to the 2022 Idaho Mental Health Advocates!
Region 1: Donna Brundage read the award presentation letter here
Region 2: Michelle King read the award presentation letter here
Region 3: Vito Kelso read the award presentation letter here
Region 4: Amy Jeppesen and Jason Coombs, read Amy’s award presentation letter here and read Jason’s award presentation letter here
Region 5: Debbie Thomas
Region 6: Shantal Laulu read the award presentation letter here
Region 7: Benji Pedroza read the award presentation letter here
2021 Idaho Mental Health Month Campaign
Annually, Empower Idaho partners with the seven Idaho Behavioral Health Boards (BHBs) to recognize a mental health advocate in their region. The BHBs select an individual in their respective communities who exemplifies community advocacy, resiliency, and passion for mental health. Each advocate’s work embodies these qualities and deserves acknowledgement and celebration.
Congratulations to the 2021 Idaho Mental Health Advocates!
Region 1: Jill Ainsworth read the award presentation letter here
Region 2: Darrell Keim read the award presentation letter here
Region 3: Marc Shigeta read the award presentation letter here
Region 4: Craig Larsen and Lindsay Brown, read Craig’s award presentation letter here and read Lindsay’s award presentation letter here
Region 5: Curtis Johnson read the award presentation letter here
Region 6: Jason and Victoria Byrd read the award presentation letter here
Region 7: Mimi Taylor read the award presentation letter here
2020 Idaho Mental Health Month Campaign
Annually, Empower Idaho partners with the seven Idaho Behavioral Health Boards (BHBs) to recognize a mental health advocate in their region. The BHBs select an individual in their respective communities who exemplifies community advocacy, resiliency, and passion for mental health. Each advocate’s work embodies these qualities and deserves acknowledgement and celebration.
Congratulations to the 2020 Idaho Mental Health Advocates!
Region 1: Lois Witten read the award presentation letter here
Region 2: Zoe Cooley read the award presentation letter here
Region 3: Daniel Pugmire read the award presentation letter here
Region 4: Devin Pugmire and Tammy Tannahill, read Devin’s award presentation letter here and read Tammy’s award presentation letter here
Region 5: Christina Cernansky read the award presentation letter here
Region 6: Michelle LaRock read the award presentation letter here
Region 7: Sam Hulse read the award presentation letter here