(Toronto, March 13, 2024) – The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is pleased to announce a new, three-year commitment to dedicated fundraising activities in support of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Talk Today program, the leagues mental health and suicide awareness initiative for teams.
As part of the partnership the CHL will be dedicating proceeds from fundraisers at national league events over the next three seasons to Talk Today and local CMHAs. This year, as part of this fundraising initiative, the CHL has already raised more than $14,000 as part of the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton, N.B., and are looking forward to raising more funds at the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow. Last season, the CHL also raised over $105,000 as part of its fundraising efforts in support of this work.
“For 10 seasons, CMHA’s Talk Today program has helped empower and encourage our players and teams to speak openly about their mental health and seek support,” said CHL president Dan MacKenzie. “We’re proud to build on this longstanding partnership with the CMHA by fundraising to support the great work being done locally and nationally through the Talk Today program.”
“While we celebrate 10 seasons of Talk Today supporting junior hockey, we also recognize the program wouldn’t be where it is today without the partnership, dedication and stewardship this initiative receives from the CHL and its leadership,” said CMHA Ontario CEO Camille Quenneville. “We’re honoured to provide support to CHL clubs and to borrow their platforms to raise awareness of mental health and suicide in communities across Canada, and we so appreciate the league’s commitment to raising significant funds for us over the next three seasons.”
The 2023-24 junior season also marks 10 seasons since the launch of Talk Today in junior hockey. The program began in 2014 as a partnership between CMHA Ontario and the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Following the launch, the program then expanded to the Western Hockey League (WHL) and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Over the last decade, the program has become one of the most comprehensive sports mental health programs in Canada, educating players about mental health and supporting those who may be struggling.
Since its inception, the program has trained over 5,200 players, coaches, billet parents and staff from the WHL, OHL and QMJHL with mental health and suicide awareness training. This season, all 60 of the CHL’s teams have been trained.
February was Talk Today month across the CHL and as part of the 10th season celebration, Canadian teams across the CHL hosted a dedicated mental health awareness game in partnership with their local CMHA. They also helped raise awareness online using #TalkToday to encourage anyone struggling to reach out for support.
About the Canadian Hockey League:
The Canadian Hockey League is the world’s largest development hockey league with 51 Canadian and nine American teams participating in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), and Western Hockey League (WHL). The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.
About the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario:
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario is a not-for-profit, charitable organization funded by the provincial government. We work to improve the lives of all Ontarians through leadership, collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-based mental health and addictions services. Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the mental health of all people. We are a trusted advisor to government, contributing to health systems development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health. To donate or learn more, please visit ontario.cmha.ca.
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Media contacts:
Christopher Séguin
Media relations manager
437-431-0651
cseguin@chl.ca
Alex Salomie
Talk Today program and communications manager
416-815-8666
asalomie@ontario.cmha.ca