T-Birds & Crisis Clinic Team Up To Raise Awareness of Mental Health Issues
Game Saturday vs. Portland Winterhawks is Mental Health Awareness Night
KENT, February 8, 2017 — The Seattle Thunderbirds, Crisis Clinic and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) are teaming up to raise awareness about the importance of mental health at the game on Saturday, February 11, against the Portland Winterhawks.
The T-Birds game against the Winterhawks will feature:
- A Crisis Clinic table on the ShoWare Center concourse so fans can learn more about mental health
- Videos featuring T-Birds players talking about the importance of mental health.
- Public address announcements about mental health.
- Special pre-game puck drop ceremony.
The awareness campaign is part of the ongoing commitment by the T-Birds, Crisis Clinic and CMHA 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.
A key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and suicide prevention. Every team 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.
“One in five Americans live with a mental health condition,” said Michael Reading, Director, Crisis Services at Crisis Clinic. “The goal of mental health awareness is to shed light on mental illness and replace stigma with the hope of recovery. Recovery of a mental health condition is possible through the connection to meaningful supports and treatment.”
“We are proud to partner with Crisis Clinic and the CMHA to raise awareness of mental health issues,” said Colin Campbell, T-Birds Vice-President. “This is an important initiative for the team, the WHL and our fans.”
Crisis Clinic in Seattle provides a 24/7 crisis line that is available to all residents of King County at 206-461-3222 or 1-866-4CRISIS (427-4747). In 2016, the Crisis Line handled 73,347 calls from people needing emotional support, experiencing a mental health crisis, or considering suicide. The Crisis Line provides anonymous and confidential support for any emotional need and will assist with referral to treatment providers as needed. Again, the Crisis Line number in King County is 206-461-3222 or 1-866-4CRISIS (427-4747).
The game against the Winterhawks starts at 7:05pm at ShoWare Center. Fans can purchase single game tickets online or at the ShoWare Center box office.
