Kelowna Rockets & CMHA Kelowna team up to raise awareness about mental health
Kelowna, BC – The Kelowna Rockets and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna are teaming up to raise awareness about the importance of mental health for the Rockets home game on February 21st against the Vancouver Giants.
Puck drop will go at 7:05 PM, and will feature:
- A CMHA-run kiosk where fans can learn more about mental health
- The CMHA Kelowna & Sunshine LeisureScapes Puck Toss for Mental Health (second intermission)
- Pre-puck drop special mental health video
- Public Address announcements pertaining to mental health
This awareness campaign is part of an ongoing commitment by the Rockets and CMHA Kelowna 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 Western Hockey League (WHL).
A key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and suicide prevention. Every team in the WHL has received mental health training specific to suicide prevention. Each team is also now linked to a CMHA Mental Health Coach, who provides support and mental health resources to individuals in need.
“The Talk Today game is a powerful reminder that mental health matters for everyone, including high-performance athletes,” says CMHA Kelowna CEO, Mike Gawliuk. “Through this partnership with the Kelowna Rockets, we’re breaking down stigma, encouraging important conversations, and ensuring that players and fans alike know that support is available. Talk Today is about creating a culture where asking for help is seen as a sign of strength.”
“We’re extremely grateful to partner with CMHA Kelowna to host a Talk Today event,” said Anne-Marie Hamilton, Director of Marketing/Game Operations of the Kelowna Rockets. “Events like these bring increased public awareness to mental health while fostering conversations about mental health in our community.”
“This collaboration underscores the commitment of both organizations to create a positive, supportive environment for individuals facing mental health challenges. The Kelowna Rockets are very proud to be part of this initiative.”
Single-game tickets for all Rockets home games are on sale at Select Your Tickets. Tickets can be purchased online through www.selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office, or by phone at 250-762-5050.
To learn more about Talk Today, visit: https://talktoday.ca/.
About CMHA Kelowna
The CMHA Kelowna and District Branch is a charity that promotes the mental health of all through community-based programs and services, public education, advocacy, and research. It is the lead agency and operator of Foundry Kelowna, an integrated youth and family centre that unites partner organizations to provide coordinated services addressing the primary care, mental health, substance use, counselling and social service needs of youth aged 12 – 24 and their families. CMHA Kelowna is part of a federation of more than 10,000 CMHA volunteers and staff in more than 100 branches across Canada.
About Kelowna Rockets
The Kelowna Rockets have won the Ed Chynoweth Cup as league champions of the WHL four times and have played in the Memorial Cup five times, winning the tournament on home ice in 2004. The Rockets have also won seven B.C. Division titles.
