CHL Marks 10th Year of Talk Today Program with New Partnership
March 13, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL) News Release
TORONTO, ON - The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is pleased to announce a new, three-year commitment to dedicated fundraising activities in support of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Talk Today program, the league's mental health and suicide awareness initiative for teams.
As part of the partnership the CHL will be dedicating proceeds from fundraisers at national league events over the next three seasons to Talk Today and local CMHAs. This year, as part of this fundraising initiative, the CHL has already raised more than $14,000 as part of the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton, N.B., and are looking forward to raising more funds at the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow. Last season, the CHL also raised over $105,000 as part of its fundraising efforts in support of this work.
"For 10 seasons, CMHA's Talk Today program has helped empower and encourage our players and teams to speak openly about their mental health and seek support," said CHL president Dan MacKenzie. "We're proud to build on this longstanding partnership with the CMHA by fundraising to support the great work being done locally and nationally through the Talk Today program."
"While we celebrate 10 seasons of Talk Today supporting junior hockey, we also recognize the program wouldn't be where it is today without the partnership, dedication, and stewardship this initiative receives from the CHL and its leadership," said CMHA Ontario CEO Camille Quenneville. "We're honoured to provide support to CHL clubs and to borrow their platforms to raise awareness of mental health and suicide in communities across Canada, and we so appreciate the league's commitment to raising significant funds for us over the next three seasons."
The 2023-24 junior season also marks 10 seasons since the launch of Talk Today in junior hockey. The program began in 2014 as a partnership between CMHA Ontario and the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Following the launch, the program then expanded to the Western Hockey League (WHL) and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Over the last decade, the program has become one of the most comprehensive sports mental health programs in Canada, educating players about mental health and supporting those who may be struggling.
Since its inception, the program has trained over 5,200 players, coaches, billet parents, and staff from the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL with mental health and suicide awareness training. This season, all 60 of the CHL's teams have been trained.
February was Talk Today month across the CHL and as part of the 10th season celebration, Canadian teams across the CHL hosted a dedicated mental health awareness game in partnership with their local CMHA. They also helped raise awareness online using #TalkToday to encourage anyone struggling to reach out for support.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 13, 2024
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