Throughout February, clubs across the Canadian Hockey League are hosting mental health awareness games in partnership with their local Canadian Mental Health Association branches in recognition of Talk Today month.
As part of their participation in Talk Today, all teams in the Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League host one home game to show support for mental health and raise awareness about CMHA programs in their communities.
Originally launched by CMHA Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014 and since expanded across the CHL and into other junior hockey leagues, high schools, colleges, universities and minor sports organizations all over the country, Talk Today provides an important opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada. The nation’s most comprehensive mental health program for amateur sports, it includes mental health and suicide awareness training for athletes and team personnel as well as classroom presentations for elementary school students by CMHA experts and select athletes in addition to the awareness games that promote programs, services and the importance of positive mental health and mental wellness in local communities.
Through Talk Today, more than 3,400 young athletes and team personnel have received mental health and suicide awareness training, 5,000-plus elementary school students have participated in classroom presentations, and hundreds of thousands of fans have attended mental health awareness games.
At the midway point of February, Talk Today surpassed four million impressions on Twitter. To see the impact the program is having on social media, check out the #TalkToday hashtag.
To find out when a team in your community is hosting a Talk Today game, visit here.
We are proud to partner with @CMHAMiddlesex and the @OHLHockey for the TeachersLife #TalkToday program. #BellLetsTalk pic.twitter.com/hoEsRJb7Nf
— London Knights (@GoLondonKnights) January 30, 2019
1 in 5 youth struggle with #mentalhealth issues. It’s time to #TalkToday about mental health. Join us Sunday, presented by @TeachersLifeCAN. pic.twitter.com/hYmtMsr3Fu
— ✖️ – Ottawa 67's (@Ottawa67sHockey) February 14, 2019
We're proud to team up with @cmha_pei on February 13th for our game against the @SJSeaDogs! The CMHA helps us foster positive mental health; they can help you too! #TalkToday pic.twitter.com/7o68d0YsIm
— IslandersHKY (@IslandersHKY) February 7, 2019
February is #OHL #TalkToday Month!
Join us as we raise awareness about the importance of mental health at games around the league in partnership with @CMHAOntario and @TeachersLifeCAN.
DETAILS: https://t.co/vAfqLt2Ces pic.twitter.com/5XAM7slAVd
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) February 1, 2019