(Hamilton, May 16, 2024) – Football Ontario and Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario Division have agreed to a three-year partnership that will bring mental health awareness to minor football locker rooms across the province.
As part of CMHA Ontario’s industry-leading sports mental health program Talk Today, Football Ontario members will receive mental health education and information about services and resources available in Ontario.
“We’re hearing more and more from our members that mental health awareness and supportive resources are a priority for them, so partnering with CMHA Ontario and Talk Today is a natural fit,” said Football Ontario CEO Aaron Geisler. “We’re excited to launch this important initiative that will make minor football facilities and communities across Ontario psychologically-safer spaces.”
In the first year of this agreement, Team Ontario coaches as well as select Football Ontario members will take part in a mental health education session led by mental health educators from CMHA branches. Educational opportunities will expand to additional members in years two and three. Football Ontario will also help CMHA Ontario promote mental health services and raise awareness through social media and in-person events over the course of the agreement.
“This new partnership with Football Ontario is another reminder of the growing importance sports organizations are placing on mental health and well-being,” said CMHA Ontario CEO Camille Quenneville. “We’re thankful to Football Ontario for taking mental health conversations seriously and we’re honoured CMHA and Talk Today are in a position of trust to undertake this important work.”
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 the province and across Canada. Since its inception, Talk Today has grown to support the two highest levels of junior hockey, the Canadian Hockey League and Canadian Junior Hockey League, while continuing to see expansion in post-secondary institutions and minor sports organizations.
To learn more about Talk Today, visit www.talktoday.ca.
Fast Facts:
- Over 10 seasons supporting junior hockey in Canada, the Talk Today program has helped educate over 10,000 athletes, coaches, team staff, billets and parents about mental health and suicide prevention
- A recent evaluation of the program showed over 94 per cent of players in the Canadian Junior Hockey League learned “a medium amount” to “a lot” about mental health
- 86 per cent of participants in the Talk Today program said they were “likely” or “very likely” to change the way they responded to individuals with mental health issues
About Football Ontario
Football Ontario is the sanctioned provincial governing body for football in Ontario, through its focus on transparency, growth, alignment and excellence, is engaged in providing football opportunities for all of Ontario. Football Ontario is driven by a commitment to deliver football programming, opportunities and resources for its members and the provincial football stakeholders. Please visit footballontario.net.
About 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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For more information, contact:
Aaron Geisler
Executive director, Football Ontario
ageisler@footballontario.net
Alex Salomie
Talk Today program lead, CMHA Ontario
416-815-8666
asalomie@ontario.cmha.ca