OHL Clubs and CMHA Ontario Branches Make Mental Health a Focus
Published on January 30, 2015 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL) News Release
Toronto, ON - The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario are teaming up to raise awareness about the importance of mental health during upcoming OHL games.
The awareness campaign is part of the ongoing commitment by OHL clubs and local CMHA Ontario Branches to implement Talk Today. Announced in October, Talk Today is a partnership between the OHL and CMHA that provides mental health support to players and raises awareness about mental health and suicide throughout OHL communities.
OHL and CMHA Game Night Schedule:
Friday January 30 at Ottawa 67's
Saturday January 31 at Saginaw Spirit
Tuesday February 3 at Kitchener Rangers
Thursday February 5 at Barrie Colts
Saturday February 7 at Belleville Bulls
Sunday February 8 at Sarnia Sting
Thursday February 12 at Niagara IceDogs
Monday February 16 at Mississauga Steelheads
Sunday February 22 at North Bay Battalion
Friday February 27 at London Knights
Sunday March 8 at Owen Sound Attack
Saturday March 14 at Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Sunday March 22 at Oshawa Generals
Date TBD at Erie Otters
Six successful OHL and CMHA game nights have already taken place across the league hosted by the Guelph Storm, Kingston Frontenacs, Peterborough Petes, Plymouth Whalers, Sudbury Wolves, and Windsor Spitfires.
A key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and suicide. To date, players on all 20 OHL teams have received mental health training specific to suicide awareness. Each team is also now linked to a CMHA Mental Health Coach, who can provide support and mental health resources to individuals in need.
Talk Today stems from a pilot program organized by the Peterborough Petes last March. Twenty four players and coaches participated in a workshop, safeTALK, which helps teach individuals the importance of talking about mental health, how to acknowledge signs of suicide, seeking help when they're in need of support, and connecting others in need of support to suicide first aid resources.
Talk Today is a mandatory program that works in conjunction with the OHL's other league programs in areas such as drug awareness, health and safety education, and has become an important piece of the league's "ËPlayers First' guide.
For more information about upcoming OHL and CMHA game night please contact OHL clubs or the local CMHA Ontario Branch.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2015
- Wolves Fall Just Shy of Steelheads - Sudbury Wolves
- Greyhounds Prevail Despite Wood's Three - North Bay Battalion
- Sting Blanked in Ottawa - Sarnia Sting
- Bulls Shut Out by Whalers - Belleville Bulls
- Tough Loss To The Petes In Overtime - Oshawa Generals
- Challenge Accepted: Hounds Battle Battalion to Shootout Win - Soo Greyhounds
- Steelheads Jump to 7th - Brampton Steelheads
- Herbst Shuts Down Sarnia as 67's Win Another at Home - Ottawa 67's
- Magyar Leads Rangers to Win over Attack - Kitchener Rangers
- Erie wins 3-2 - Erie Otters
- OHL Clubs and CMHA Ontario Branches Make Mental Health a Focus - OHL
- Bruins Recall Malcolm Subban - Belleville Bulls
- Weekend Preview: Bulls Head West for Another 3 in 3 - Belleville Bulls
- Score a Seat on OC Transpo to Avoid Traffic this Sunday at Lansdowne - Ottawa 67's
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