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

The game will take place on Wednesday, February 6 at 7 p.m. and will feature:

• A CMHA-run kiosk so fans can learn more about mental health;
• Videos featuring ICE players talking about the importance of mental health on social media;
• Public address announcements about mental health.

The ICE announced on Saturday that $5 from every walk-up ticket for Wednesday’s game will go towards the CMHA, Kootenays Branch.

The awareness campaign is part of the ongoing commitment by the Kootenay ICE and CMHA Kootenays Branch to implement Talk Today.

Talk Today provides mental health support to players and raises awareness about mental health throughout communities across the Western Hockey League.

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

“The staff at Canadian Mental Health Association for the Kootenays continue to work towards bringing positive mental health to our communities. This is possible through opportunities in the 29 different programs the Agency offers. We are especially proud to be offering training and guidance to our young athletes and community members about suicide awareness and prevention, which is one of the many important reasons we are here tonight,” said Carey Fraser, Executive Director of CMHA Kootenays Branch.

Submitted

Article Share