Over the past several weeks, East Boise County EMS District and Boise County Search & Rescue has responded to an increasing number of mental health and suicide-related calls. While we will always respect patient privacy, we feel it is important to share a message with our community:
You matter. Your life matters. There is hope.
Many people struggle in silence. They may feel overwhelmed, isolated, exhausted, or believe that no one understands what they are going through.
Sometimes life can feel so heavy that it becomes difficult to see a path forward. If you are experiencing those feelings, please know this:
There are people who care about you. Your family cares. Your friends care. Your neighbors care. The people you work with care. Even people you may have never met care. The EMTs, dispatchers, firefighters, law enforcement officers Boise County Sheriff’s Office, and volunteers who serve this community care deeply about the well-being of every person who calls for help.
We have witnessed firsthand that moments of crisis can pass. We have also seen people receive help, begin healing, and go on to experience better days.
Idaho offers so much worth living for. From the mountains surrounding Idaho City and the Boise National Forest to the rivers, trails, wildlife, and close-knit communities that make this state special, there are countless opportunities for new memories, new adventures, and new beginnings.
The difficult chapter you are experiencing today does not have to define the rest of your story.
If you are struggling, please reach out. Talk to a friend. Talk to a family member. Speak with a counselor, pastor, healthcare provider, or trusted neighbor. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength. If you are having thoughts of suicide, emotional distress, or a mental health crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, any time of the day or night. Trained counselors are available 24 hours a day to listen and help.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or if there is a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. East Boise County EMS District wants our community to know that we are here to help. When you call, our goal is not only to respond to the emergency in front of us, but also to connect people with the resources and support they need. There is no problem too small, no burden too heavy, and no reason to feel ashamed for asking for help. You are not alone. There are people who care. There is hope. And tomorrow is worth seeing.
If you need help:
• Call or Text 988 – Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
• Call 911 for emergencies or immediate danger
• Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, healthcare provider, or counselor
Together, as a community, we can support one another and remind those who are struggling that their life has value and that help is available.