Camille Quenneville, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario found herself in different company at the 7th Annual Prime Time Sports Management Conference and Trade Show in Toronto on November 17, 2014. 
Quenneville was invited to participate in a panel discussion about risk management and crisis avoidance. Joining her on the panel was a professional player agent, a representative of professional hockey and baseball player unions, as well as a lawyer who provides counsel to pro sports teams.
Quenneville took the opportunity to address the audience of about 80 sports-industry types about Talk Today, the new program launched in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
Talk Today provides mental health supports and suicide awareness training to about 500 players in the league. The program will also see OHL clubs use their stature in the community to raise awareness about mental health by hosting awareness nights during a home game every year.
Stating that one in five people may struggle with mental health issues, Quenneville stressed that Talk Today teaches young OHL players life skills which they can use long after their hockey careers are over. She informed the crowd that there have been three instances since the program was launched in October 2014 where support was provided to three separate individuals dealing with mental health issues.
“Clearly the need is there and we think the OHL has shown tremendous leadership with this program,” she said.
Read more about Talk Today.