Canadian Mental Health teams up with Bulldogs and Grizzlys for mental health awareness campaign
Hockey’s back! The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) central Alberta Region is proud to support the Blackfalds Bulldogs and the Olds Grizzlys with Talk Today, a suicide-prevention and mental health awareness program, for the 2021-22 season.
With generous support from the NHL Foundation and Fifth Line Foundation, players across the Canadian Junior Hockey League stand to benefit from one of the most comprehensive mental health programs for amateur sports in Canada.
Talk Today was created in 2014 and is now offered by more than 50 CMHAs to junior hockey partners nationwide. Talk Today has four key elements:
- Mandatory evidence-based mental health and suicide awareness workshops for athletes that enable them to not only recognize when a teammate or others may be struggling, but gives them tools to speak openly about suicide and assist in getting individuals support.
- A designated CMHA Mental Health Coach is connected to each team so that they can help in case someone with the club is struggling or seeking mental health information or services.
- Talk Today game days with related social media activities to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with mental health and addictions issues.
- A club Mental Health Champion who works with CMHA personnel to help implement the training and awareness activities.’