CBC feature on Talk Today with the Ottawa 67′s

CBC Ottawa recently covered the Talk Today program, a mental-health initiative between the Ottawa 67’s and CMHA Ottawa. 

The Talk Today awareness campaign aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise awareness about suicide and suicide prevention. In Ottawa, CMHA Ottawa has provided safeTALK training to the 67’s general manager and all coaches, trainers and players.

“It’s really helped some guys,” says Jeff Brown, the head coach of the 67’s. “I know guys have utilized it afterwards and it’s really made a difference.”

Sam Studnicka, a forward for the 67’s, also agrees.

“I think the main thing for us is someone’s always there to talk, regardless if it’s a coach, a teammate, a family member,” says Studnicka. “There’s always going to be someone there that’s going to listen to you.”

Announced last fall, Talk Today is a partnership between the Ontario Hockey League and the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario to provide mental health support to players and raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention throughout OHL communities.

To date, players on all 20 OHL teams have received mental health training specific to suicide awareness. Each team is also now linked to a CMHA Mental Health Coach, who can provide support and mental health resources to individuals in need.

For the full story, please visit CBC Ottawa.