Friday, December 6, 2019 – The Winnipeg Blues have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association of Manitoba and Winnipeg for the first annual Talk Today game in support of mental health awareness on Sunday, December 8, 2019 when the Winnipeg Blues take on the Swan Valley Stampedersat RINK Training Centre at 5:30pm.
Talk Today is one of the most comprehensive mental health programs for amateur sports in Canada. It strives to promote the mental health of young athletes while spreading awareness about the benefits of positive mental health throughout communities across the country.
The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health, including:
• A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the organization’s community-based services
• A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA Manitoba and Winnipeg
• Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA Manitoba and Winnipeg
• A CMHA fundraising component
This mental health awareness game is part of the Winnipeg Blue’s new partnership with CMHA Manitoba and Winnipeg and its Talk Today program. Talk Today, an initiative of CMHA Manitoba and Winnipeg in partnership with CMHAs nationwide, collaborates with amateur sports organizations across Canada to bring mental health awareness and suicide-prevention training to young athletes.
The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and suicide prevention, in addition to linking each team to a CMHA Mental Health Coach who provides support and mental health resources to individuals in need. Since its launch in 2014, Talk Today has delivered suicide prevention training and provided resources to more than 3,300 athletes, 200 coaches, 400 billets/parents and 150 staff in junior hockey, and high school, college and university athletics.
Tickets for the game are still available at the door.
Read more about Talk Today: https://ontario.cmha.ca/programs-services/talk-today/
About the Canadian Mental Health Association:
Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is the most established, most extensive community mental health organization in Canada. Through a presence in more than 330 communities across every province, CMHA provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive. For more information, visit www.cmha.ca.