Sea Dogs and CMHA of NB team up to raise awareness about mental health
SAINT JOHN – The Saint John Sea Dogs and Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick (CMHA of NB) in Saint John are teaming up to raise awareness about the importance of mental health during an upcoming Sea Dogs home game.
The Sea Dogs game on January 18 at 7pm will feature:
- A CMHA-run kiosk so fans can learn more about mental health
- Videos featuring Sea Dogs players talking about the importance of mental health
- Public address announcements about mental health
The awareness campaign is part of the ongoing commitment by the Sea Dogs and CMHA of NB to implement Talk Today. Talk Today provides mental health support to players and raises awareness about mental health and suicide prevention throughout communities across the QMJHL.
This season, Talk Today is celebrating a major milestone – its 10th season of supporting junior hockey. Since its launch in 2014, Talk Today has provided an important opportunity to address the mental health needs of hockey players and other athletes across Canada. From 2014. through the 2022-23 season, nearly 8,600 individuals have received mental health and suicide awareness training through the program. The vast majority of individuals trained are athletes (7,598), but coaches (381), staff (217), billets and parents (400) have also participated in training, helping to create cultures of openness within athlete support networks.
“CMHA of NB is grateful for our hockey partnerships that have been a driving force for this program since the beginning, especially the QMJHL for its awareness and engagement efforts in support of Talk Today over the years. We’re so proud of what Talk Today has become thanks to the national leadership, provincial coordination, regional staff, and the collaboration from the CHL which has grown to demonstrate a true sense of collaboration with a large impact,” said Christa Baldwin, Executive Director of CMHA of NB.
“We’re proud to partner with CMHA of NB again this year and we look forward to hosting them at Thursday’s game to help raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention,” said Sea Dogs president Trevor Georgie. “Our student athletes encounter a variety of daily hurdles, both on and off the ice, and they serve as inspirational figures who leave a substantial impact on the Saint John community, particularly among the younger fans. The goal of this event is to generate discussion and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and encourage open conversations within the community about mental well-being.”
Tickets are available at the TD Station box office, by calling (506) 657-1234 or online at tickets.tdstation.com.
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