The puck drops for CMHA North Bay and District’s mental health and suicide prevention awareness game with the North Bay Battalion on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. when the Troops take on the Soo Greyhounds at Memorial Gardens.
The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health, including:
- A special moment of remembrance for those lives lost to suicide.
- An information table where fans can learn more about CMHA North Bay and District’s services and programs
- A display for the upcoming Push-Up Challenge, a free mental health and fitness event that takes place in February. (Help us push for better mental health!)
- Representatives of Chat4Chad, a local organization dedicated to raising awareness on the importance of discussing mental health struggles and suicide
- A ceremonial puck-drop
- Door prizes and fundraising for CMHA North Bay and District
This mental health awareness game is part of the Battalion’s ongoing partnership with CMHA North Bay and District and its Talk Today program.
Since launching in 2014, Talk Today has supported and addressed the mental health needs of hockey players and other athletes across Canada. Over its first 10 seasons, nearly 8,600 individuals received mental health and suicide awareness training. The vast majority are athletes (7,598), but coaches (381), staff (217), billets, and parents (400) have also participated in the training, helping to create a culture of openness within athlete support networks says a news release.
The core focus of Talk Today is 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.
“The world of sports can be a place where there are increased barriers to talking about mental health,” said Mary Davis, Chief Executive Officer of CMHA North Bay and District. “Thankfully, the narrative around mental health and sports has evolved in recent years, and programs like Talk Today are a part of that shift."
“We have seen such incredible benefits with the mental health and wellness of our own players," said Adam Dennis, president of North Bay Battalion. "The education they receive has given them tools for their own well-being and has helped raise awareness in their own personal networks at school and at home."
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