The Kitchener Rangers and CMHA Waterloo Wellington Team Up to Raise Awareness about Mental Health

Feb 10, 2017

SHARE THIS CONTENT

The Kitchener Rangers and Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Waterloo Wellington Branch are teaming up to raise awareness about the importance of mental health during an upcoming Kitchener Rangers home game.

The Kitchener Rangers game on Tuesday, February 7th vs. the Niagara IceDogs at 7:00pm will feature:

A CMHA-run kiosk so fans can learn more about mental health
Videos featuring Rangers players talking about the importance of mental health
Public address announcements about mental health

The awareness campaign is part of the ongoing commitment by the Kitchener Rangers and CMHA Waterloo Wellington to implement Talk Today, presented by Teachers Life. Talk Today provides mental health support to players and raises awareness about mental health and suicide prevention throughout communities across the OHL.

A key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and suicide prevention. Every team has received mental health training specific to suicide prevention. Each team is also now linked to a CMHA Mental Health Coach, who provides support and mental health resources to individuals in need.

“We are pleased to partner with the Kitchener Rangers for the third year of the Talk Today program. The awareness game gives us an opportunity to spread the word about mental health awareness to the public. Training the Kitchener Rangers players, coaches and billet parents in suicide prevention creates more awareness and lets the players know they are not alone if they are struggling. It also gives them the tools to help their peers who may be in need of support.” said Fred Wagner, Executive Director of CMHA Waterloo Wellington.

“This is an initiative the Kitchener Rangers are proud to be a part of for a third straight year,” said Kitchener Rangers assistant general manager/assistant coach Mike McKenzie. “It’s a priority for us that our players and their families know this is a safe and supportive place to play. Talk Today further allows us to provide an environment that our players can receive assistance off the ice as well as on it, if they so choose.”

Tickets for Friday’s game are still available, starting from $18.50 for children 12-and-under and $22.50 for adults. Click here for ticket information, or to purchase tickets.