The Sudbury Wolves have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association Sudbury/Manitoulin (CMHA-S/M) for a mental health awareness game Feb. 23 at 2 p.m., when the Wolves take on the Ottawa 67's at the Sudbury Arena.
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 (lower lobby, behind souvenir shop)
- A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA-S/M
- Videos featuring Sudbury Wolves players talking about the importance of mental health
- Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA-S/M
- A chance to win a Sudbury Wolves Team autographed stick
- Giveaway of stress pucks compliments of CMHA-S/M, for the first 1,000 fans
This mental health awareness game is part of the Sudbury Wolves' ongoing partnership with CMHA-S/M 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, more than 1,100 OHL players and 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 Sudbury Wolves to deliver an in-class presentation about mental wellness to elementary school students.
"We're extremely grateful to partner with the Sudbury Wolves to host a Talk Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community," said Kayla Belanger, health promotion co-ordinator with CMHA-S/M.
"We are very excited to partner with CMHA once again to promote the awareness of mental health in the Greater Sudbury community for the sixth annual event," said Miranda Swain-Boivin, SWSE marketing manager.
"It's become a very important initiative for us to partner on and is very valuable to our players. We are looking forward to this year's game."
Tickets for the game are still available, starting from $19. For ticket information, visit sudburywolves.com.
