BRAMPTON, ON – The Brampton Steelheads have partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Peel Dufferin Branch for a mental health awareness game Wednesday February 19th, 7pm when the Steelheads take on the Oshawa Generals at CAA Centre.

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health, including:

• A CMHA Peel Dufferin-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the organization’s community-based services
• A ceremonial puck drop
• Videos featuring Brampton Steelheads players talking about the importance of mental health
• Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA Peel Dufferin
• A CMHA Peel Dufferin fundraising componentThis mental health awareness game is part of the Steelheads ongoing partnership with CMHA Peel Dufferin and its Talk Today program.

  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 a culture of openness within athlete support networks.

  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.