February is Talk Today Month!

Feb 8, 2024

Prince George Cougars to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA Northern BC

[Prince George, February 20th] – The Prince George Cougars have partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Northern BC Branch for a mental health awareness game February 20^th, at 7pm when the Prince George Cougars take on the Seattle Thunderbirds at CN Centre.

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health, including:

• A CMHA Northern BC-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the organization’s community-based services, as well as participate in our current fundraiser the Push-Up Challenge
• A ceremonial puck drop
• Videos featuring Prince George Cougar players talking about the importance of mental health
• Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA Northern BC
• Chuck a puck event! – With a grand prize of an Apple Watch & Apple Air pods
• A CMHA Northern BC fundraising component

This mental health awareness game is part of the Prince George Cougars ongoing partnership with CMHA Northern BC and its Talk Today program.

This season, Talk Today is celebrating a major milestone – its 10th season of supporting junior hockey. Since its launch in 2014, Talk Today has provided an important opportunity to address the mental health needs of hockey players and other athletes across Canada. From 2014 through the 2022-23 season, nearly 8,600 individuals have received mental health and suicide awareness training through the program. The vast majority of individuals trained are athletes (7,598), but coaches (381), staff (217), billets and parents (400) have also participated in training, helping to create a culture of openness within athlete support networks.

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.

 “By hosting this event, the Prince George Cougars and CMHA Northern BC are helping to eliminate the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within sports and other communities about mental health,” said Shirley Hogan, Manager of Education and Projects of CMHA Northern BC.

Tickets for the game are still available. For ticket information, head to https://www.ticketsnorth.ca/event_category/hockey/

For more information on the Talk Today program, visit www.talktoday.ca.

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Media contacts:

Shirley Hogan

Manager of Education and Projects                                 

CMHA Northern BC

250-613-2486

shirleyhogan@cmhanorthernbc.ca