(WHL Supplied)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Sat. Feb. 19: WHL Talk Today Game Nights

Red Deer Rebels to host mental health event

Feb 1, 2022 | 4:43 PM

Red Deer is among 13 Western Hockey League communities to host an event this month promoting positive mental health.

The Western Hockey League and RE/MAX are teaming up with local Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) branches to promote positive mental health through “RE/MAX Presents: WHL Talk Today Game Nights”, scheduled to run during the months of February and March across Western Canada.

“As a proud sponsor of the WHL, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to present initiatives that support the Canadian Mental Health Association,” said Christopher Alexander, President of RE/MAX Canada. “Through our sponsorship, we hope to make an impact in local WHL communities across Western Canada and continue to shine a light on the importance of mental health.”

“As they do every season, our longstanding corporate partner RE/MAX is giving back to WHL communities in Western Canada by putting positive mental health at the forefront,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “Together with RE/MAX and the Canadian Mental Health Association, we are pleased to deliver this important programming in support of positive mental health when so many Canadians are being impacted during these challenging times in this area.”

Starting Feb. 4 in Prince Albert, Sask., all 17 WHL Canadian Clubs will host individual “RE/MAX Presents: WHL Talk Today Game Nights”, where fans in attendance will have the opportunity to learn more about CMHA mental health resources available in their community in an effort to breakdown the stigma surrounding mental health.

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“We are excited to partner with RE/MAX and the Western Hockey League for another season through our Talk Today program,” said CMHA Saskatchewan Executive Director, Phyllis O’Connor. “We know from experience that WHL teams and fans always bring great engagement. We hope to reach even more people this year by bringing our messages about positive mental health to WHL fans during our Talk Today game nights.”

WHL Alumni Kelly Hrudey serves as the celebrity spokesperson for this season’s “Talk Today Game Nights”. Hrudey, a fixture on Hockey Night in Canada for over 20 years, spent three seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers (1978-81) prior to embarking on a 15-season career in the NHL, in which he registered over 300 career wins split between the New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks.

“Raising awareness about mental health is something that is important to me and my family,” Hrudey said. “Help us break down the barriers when it comes to the stigma around mental health.”

The schedule for the Talk Today Game Nights includes:

• Friday, February 4 – Prince Albert
• Saturday, February 5 – Saskatoon
• Friday, February 11 – Kamloops
• Friday, February 18 – Vancouver
• Saturday, February 19 – Red Deer
• Friday, February 25 – Lethbridge; Medicine Hat; Prince George
• Saturday, February 26 – Edmonton
• Sunday, February 27 – Calgary
• Friday, March 4 – Brandon; Regina
• Tuesday, March 8 – Victoria; Winnipeg
• Friday, March 11 – Swift Current
• Saturday, March 5 – Moose Jaw
• Saturday, March 12 – Kelowna

In advance of the Talk Today Game Nights, RE/MAX and WHL Clubs participated in an additional awareness campaign aimed at creating positive discussion around physical activity in support of good mental health, called “Moves for Mental Health.” Fans across the WHL were encouraged to post a video on social media showing the ways they engage in physical activity for the sake of enhancing their mental health. Fans who participated in the social media campaign were entered to win an autographed jersey from their WHL Club. Winners from the “Moves for Mental Health” campaign will be recognized during the Game Nights across the WHL.

Talk Today, delivered by CMHAs across the WHL, is said to have become one of the most comprehensive mental health programs for amateur sports in Canada. Its aim is to promote the mental health of young athletes and to spread awareness about the benefits of positive mental health throughout communities across the country.

Since 2016, the WHL and its teams have partnered with CMHA branches across Western Canada to provide mental health education and support to all players, coaches, parents, billets, and team staff across the League. This program has become a valuable platform for CMHA branches, teams, and individual players to encourage open discussion about mental health within the hockey community and broader public.

In any given year, one in five people in Canada is said to experience a mental health problem or illness. There are no limitations to those who may be affected. By age 40, about 50 per cent of the population will have or have had a mental illness. Major depression affects approximately 5.4 per cent of the Canadian population, and anxiety disorders affect 4.6 per cent of the population.

Fans can donate to their local CMHA branches by visiting TalkToday.ca/WHLDonate. For more information on “RE/MAX Presents: WHL Talk Today Game Nights”, visit TalkToday.ca/WHLGameDays.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, you can find more information at cmha.ca/find-help/.

Those interested are reminded to check with their local health authorities and WHL Club for COVID-19 updates and restrictions. Tickets are subject to availability. Should there be facility capacity restrictions, please note tickets may be limited.