Teaming up with the Soo Greyhounds and the Ontario Hockey League to launch Talk Today, an exciting new initiative
CMHA Sault Ste. Marie is proud to be a part of an exciting new initiative called Talk Today. This is a provincewide program developed and delivered in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and its local clubs, CMHA Ontario and our branch.
Talk Today has been designed for the league and its players and is aimed at raising awareness about suicide and promoting the mental health of young athletes. CMHA Sault Ste. Marie will work directly with the Soo Greyhounds to deliver the following key components of Talk Today:
CMHA Mental Health Coaches
CMHA Sault Ste. Marie will designate a Mental Health Coach that is directly tied to a local team. This individual will provide information and resources to the players as well as the people that surround them.
If a player is in need of support or if they observe a teammate in need of support, they can contact the CMHA Mental Health Coach. The coach will help provide referrals to mental health and addictions services and supports available within the local CMHA Branch or other organizations in the community. The CMHA Mental Health Coach will also help with referrals to mental health crisis intervention services, if necessary.
safeTALK Training for Players
CMHA Sault Ste. Marie will provide this accredited training program to all players on the Soo Greyhounds to help the athletes be alert to persons with thoughts of suicide and teach them how to take appropriate action.
Evidence has shown that this training teaches individuals to look beyond the tendencies that cause people miss, dismiss or avoid the subject of suicide; identify people who have thoughts of suicide; and learn how to connect a person who has thoughts of suicide to a caregiver for intervention.
ASIST training for the Players Support Network
CMHA Sault Ste. Marie will provide or facilitate this accredited training for individuals such as coaches, team staff or parents who provide support to the players on the Soo Greyhounds. The training teaches people how to recognize individuals who are at risk and intervene to prevent the risk of suicidal thoughts becoming suicidal behaviors.
The key to suicide prevention are trained caregivers who are ready, willing and able to get involved with each individual at risk. By offering this training, CMHA Sault Ste. Marie is helping establish that vital support network.
OHL Mental Health Champions
In recognition of the tremendous leadership roles that members of each franchise already play within their local communities, the clubs will each name an OHL Mental Health Champion. These individuals can be players, coaches, managers, staff, parents, billeting parents or anyone else associated with the team.
They will act as a resource on mental health issues and help players connect with their local CMHA Mental Health Coach. Mental Health Champions will also help promote suicide awareness and mental health within their communities.
Local Talk Today Events
Each OHL team plays a key role in their community and supports various causes each season through creative and effective public relations events. In keeping with idea, discussions are underway to determine CMHA Sault Ste. Marie and the Soo Greyhounds can host annual Talk Today events to increase public awareness about suicide and promote mental health.