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Battalion to host mental health awareness game

There will be mental health signs for fans to write on and share to social media
Brazeau McMaster Thilander Potts
File photo by Tom Martineau.

The North Bay Battalion have partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association for a mental health awareness game tomorrow (Thursday).

The Troops take on the Flint Firebirds at Memorial Gardens

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 with CMHA Nipissing
  • Videos featuring Battalion players talking about the importance of mental health
  • Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA Nipissing
  • Mental health signs for fans to write on and share to social media

This mental health awareness game is part of the Battalion’s ongoing partnership with CMHA Nipissing and its Talk Today program, presented by Teachers Life.

Originally launched by CMHA Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014, Talk Today provides an important opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada. Through this program, over 1,000 OHL players and over 400 coaches, billets and staff have received mental health and suicide prevention training across the league.

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been 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. Additionally, CMHA experts work with players from the Battalion to deliver a basic in-class presentation about mental wellness to elementary school students.

 “We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to once again partner with the North Bay Battalion and Teachers Life to hold this game day event to increase awareness and promote conversations about mental health in our community.” said Margi Woods Clarke, mental health coach of CMHA Nipissing,

“The CMHA and the Safe Talk program has been a crucial piece to the OHL player experience. The skills players learn and the resources that are provided through this program will help them throughout the rest of their lives,” said Adam Dennis, Assistant Coach of the North Bay Battalion.