Calgary Hitmen Host Mental Health Awareness Game in Partnership with CHMA Calgary
February 1, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
Calgary, AB - The Calgary Hitmen have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association - Calgary Region (CMHA Calgary), for a mental health awareness game February 7, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. when the Hitmen take on the Regina Pats at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health, including:
- A CMHA Calgary-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the organization's community-based services
- A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA Calgary
- Videos featuring Hitmen players talking about the importance of mental health
- Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA Calgary
This mental health awareness game is part of the Hitmen's ongoing partnership with CMHA Calgary and its Talk Todayprogram.
This season, Talk Today is celebrating a major milestone - its 10th season of supporting junior hockey. Since its launch in 2014, Talk Today has provided an important opportunity to address the mental health needs of hockey players and other athletes across Canada. From 2014. through the 2022-23 season, nearly 8,600 individuals have received mental health and suicide awareness training through the program. The vast majority of individuals trained are athletes (7,598), but coaches (381), staff (217), billets and parents (400) have also participated in training, helping to create cultures of openness within athlete support networks.
The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and suicide prevention. Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach, who provides support and mental health resources to individuals in need.
"Mental health is essential for everyone's health and well-being. Most people who are living with a mental illness see their first symptoms before the age of 18, so being able to help young athletes develop skills on how to help themselves and others when it comes to mental health and suicide prevention has countless benefits for individuals and communities. CMHA Calgary is proud to once again partner with the Hitmen for the Talk Today program and game," said Rick Hammermeister, interim Executive Director of CMHA Calgary.
"Our partnership with the CMHA Calgary is a vital relationship to our hockey club," said Amy Bontorin, Manager of Business Operations for the Hitmen. "The Talk Today program encourages a healthy dialogue for those who need someone to talk to and we are proud that our players and the Hitmen organization are engaged in something that can truly change lives for the better."
Tickets for the game are still available, starting from $11+ gst for kids and $20+ gst for adults. For ticket information, head to HitmenHockey.com.
For more information on the Talk Today program, visit www.talktoday.ca.
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