Hooked on Mental Health program gets people out fishing on world mental health day

CALDWELL, Idaho — A local health organization teamed up with the Idaho Fish and Game to help people do some fishing at Rotary Pond in Caldwell on World Mental Health Day.

A Healthy Body and Mind Health Services created hooked on mental health, and for the second year in a row, they are raising awareness using the Idaho outdoors.

"Fishing is a great way to connect mental health to the outdoors because you can focus on what you are doing and clear your thoughts," said Patrick Fithen. "If you get a fish, it is really exciting, everyone likes catching a fish."

More than ten families showed up, and several young anglers tried their luck at this sport for the very first time.

Those families also got to spend some quality time bonding in a relaxing environment.
"It's a rare occasion for all of us to be able to get out together, usually one of us is working," said Jessica, who brought her kids fishing. "It is just nice to have a day set aside where we can all do something together."

The Idaho Fish and Game provided anglers with free one-day permits, and some fishing poles, A Healthy Body and Mind Health Services, provided everything else.

"One takeaway from COVID is people have actually been focusing on their mental health because people have anxiety, they are depressed or they are isolating," said Fithen. "But there are a lot of great activities to do for your mental health while enjoying the outdoors."

A Healthy Body and Mind Health Services has grown in the past year from 10 employees to 30, and they just opened up a new clinic in Middleton.

Fithen told us this non-profit has served more than 500 people in the Treasure Valley so far in 2020.

Idaho Senator Mike Crapo (R) spoke on World Mental Health Day Saturday afternoon, saying "the time for action is now" in raising global awareness for mental health.