Guelph Storm and CMHA Waterloo Wellington Dufferin team up to raise awareness about mental health during upcoming home game
The Guelph Storm and Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Waterloo Wellington Dufferin Branch are teaming up to raise awareness about the importance of mental health during an upcoming Guelph Storm home game.
The Guelph Storm game on Friday February 12th, 7:30pm at the Sleeman Centre will feature:
- A CMHA-run kiosk so fans can learn more about mental health
- Videos featuring Guelph Storm players talking about the importance of mental health
- Public address announcements about mental health
- A puck drop with CMHA WWD’s Acting Executive Director Helen Fishburn to raise awareness
The awareness campaign is part of the ongoing commitment by the Guelph Storm and CMHA Waterloo Wellington Dufferin to implement Talk Today. Announced in October 2014, Talk Today is a partnership between the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and CHMA Ontario. It provides mental health support to players and raises awareness about mental health and suicide throughout OHL communities.
A key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and suicide. Every OHL team received mental health training specific tosuicide awareness last season and new players were trained this fall. Each team is also now linked to a CMHA Mental Health Coach, who provides support and mental health resources to individuals in need.
“We’re extremely grateful to partner with the Guelph Storm to host a Talk Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community. Suicide is 2nd leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10-24. This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it.”said Helen Fishburn, Acting Executive Director of CMHA Waterloo Wellington Dufferin.
“The Talk Today program organized by the Canadian Mental Health Association for our Storm players, staff and billet families, is one of the most important initiatives that I have ever personally been involved with. Mental health and suicide awareness are topics that we all need to talk about openly and candidly. The training that we all receive through the Talk Today program is invaluable.” said Mike Kelly, General Manager of the Guelph Storm.
Tickets for the game are still available and can be purchased by visiting the Storm box office at Old Quebec Street Mall, the Storm kiosk at Stone Road Mall, by phone at 519-837-9690 or by clicking HERE to buy online
Read more about Talk Today.
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Media Contact:
Megan Brady Lindsay Newby
Communications Specialist Media Relations Co-ordinator
CMHA Waterloo Wellington Dufferin Guelph Storm
519-821-8089 Ext. 2106 519-837-9690 ext.119
