CMHA Wood Buffalo Partners with Fort McMurray Oil Barons for “Talk Today” Month

Feb 28, 2022

CMHA and CJHL partner for ‘Talk Today’ month across Canada

February 28, 2022, Fort McMurray – Throughout the month of February, Canadian Mental Health Association Wood Buffalo was proud to partner with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons to highlight the importance of mental health as part of Talk Today month across Canada.

Throughout February teams across the Alberta Junior Hockey League shared positive mental health on their social media channels with fans and athletes alike. Follow #TalkToday and #CJHL to engage with your local teams during February.
CMHA branches across Canada began implementing Talk Today in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) during the 2019-20 season. Generously funded by the Fifth Line Foundation and NHL Foundation , Talk Today has to date provided suicide-prevention training to over 740 CJHL participants

“The pandemic has posed some challenges, but we are thrilled to continue growing our partnership this season with CMHA Wood Buffalo”, said Fort McMurray Oil Barons President, David Fitzgerald. “We hope to have reached an even wider audience this year by sharing the message of positive mental health during Talk Today month”.

Talk Today was created in 2014 and is now offered by more than 50 CMHAs to junior hockey partners nationwide. Talk Today has four key elements:

Mandatory evidence-based mental health and suicide awareness workshops for athletes that enable them to not only recognize when a teammate or others may be struggling, but gives them tools to speak openly about suicide and assist in getting individuals support.

A designated CMHA Mental Health Coach is connected to each team so that they can help in case someone with the club is struggling or seeking mental health information or services.

Talk Today game days with related social media activities to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with mental health and addictions issues.

A club Mental Health Champion who works with CMHA personnel to help implement the training and awareness activities.

For more information about the Talk Today program visit: www.talktoday.ca

If you or someone you know is struggling, you can access more information on resources by visiting: cmha.ca/find-help