Attack Host 11th Mental Health Awareness Game
For the 11th season, the Owen Sound Attack is partnering with Canadian Mental Health Association, Grey Bruce for a mental health awareness game on February 8th at 7:00 pm, presented by Syngenta and Grain Farmers of Ontario, when the Owen Sound Attack take on the North Bay Battalion at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Arena.
The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health, including:
- A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the organization’s community-based services
- A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA Grey Bruce
- Videos featuring Attack players talking about the importance of mental health
- Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA Grey Bruce
- A bucket pass, and fundraising game tickets in support of the CMHA Grey Bruce Youth Awareness programs as well as a puck toss during the second intermission.
This mental health awareness game marks 11 seasons that the Owen Sound Attack and CMHA Grey Bruce have partnered to deliver the Talk Today program. This year’s game is also presented by Syngenta and Grain Farmers of Ontario.
Originally launched by CMHA Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League during the 2014-15 season, Talk Today provides an important opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada. Through this program, over 1,850 OHL players and over 575 coaches, billets and staff have received mental health and suicide prevention training across the league.
The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and suicide prevention. Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach, who provides support and mental health resources to individuals in need.
“Talk Today has been an incredible awareness tool for us in terms of having the students hear about how the Attack players maintain their good mental health during a stressful hockey season. And it also allows us to be within arm’s reach to the team if needed”, said Jackie Ralph, Youth Awareness and Education Supervisor, CMHA Grey Bruce.
“Mental health is a major issue in every community right now” said Attack Manager of Marketing and Communications Greg Hoddinott. “It is important for us to continue the work we have done with CMHA and try to promote their messaging and tools in every way we can.
“Our players are not immune to these types of struggles. If they can see the programs that are available and potentially help someone else in our community get help that is a real win-win for everyone” added Hoddinott.
“Mental wellness is a priority area of focus for Grain Farmers of Ontario as we look to help Ontario grain farmers struggling with mental health issues and to remove any stigma still associated with talking about mental health or seeking help,” said Paul Hoekstra, Vice President, Strategic Development, at Grain Farmers of Ontario. “A program like the OHL and CMHA’s Talk Today helps start much-needed conversations and educate people about mental health issues. We are thrilled to partner with Syngenta and the OHL to provide this vital program.”
“Hockey is a part of many farming communities, so it’s natural for us to get involved in such an important cause,” said Norm Sutherland, District Manager, Syngenta Canada. “At Syngenta, we prioritize mental wellbeing for our employees and for our customers. Just as mental health should be talked about in the dressing room, it’s a necessary discussion on the farm, where daily stresses can take their toll. We’re grateful to work alongside CMHA, the OHL, and Grain Farmers of Ontario to elevate the mental health conversation and provide support in rinks and farming communities across the province.”
Select tickets for the game are available at a discounted price when the promo code ‘CMHA’ is used at checkout. Tickets are available for purchase at the MacVicar & McComb Sutton Realty Attack Box Office or online at: www.AttackHockey.com.
About Syngenta:
Syngenta is one of the world’s leading agriculture companies, comprised of Syngenta Crop Protection and Syngenta Seeds. Our ambition is to help safely feed the world while taking care of the planet. We aim to improve the sustainability, quality and safety of agriculture with world-class science and innovative crop solutions. Our technologies enable millions of farmers around the world to make better use of limited agricultural resources. Syngenta Crop Protection and Syngenta Seeds are part of Syngenta Group with 49,000 people in more than 100 countries working to transform how crops are grown. Through partnerships, collaboration, and The Good Growth Plan, we are committed to accelerating innovation for farmers and nature, striving for carbon neutral agriculture, helping people stay safe and healthy, and partnering for impact.
About Grain Farmers of Ontario:
Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers. The crops they grow cover over 6 million acres of farmland across the province, generate over $4.1 billion in production value, result in over $18 billion in economic output and are responsible for over 75,000 jobs in the province.
About Canadian Mental Health Association, Grey Bruce
At CMHA Grey Bruce Mental Health and Addiction Services we cultivate hope, resilience, and community for those who live with, and are impacted by, mental illness and/or/addiction. We will create an inclusive community inspiring hope, choice, and wellbeing for all. We are driven by our values of compassion, dignity, inclusivity, integrity, and choice. For more information, visit www.greybruce.cmha.ca
About the Ontario Hockey League:
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. Last season, more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the regular season, playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league. For more information, visit www.ontariohockeyleague.com.
