Swift Current Broncos to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA Swift Current

Posted on 29 January 2024 by Ryan Dahlman

Contributed

The Swift Current Broncos have partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Swift Current Branch for a mental health awareness game January 31st, 7 pm when the Broncos take on the Lethbridge Hurricanes at the InnovationPlex.

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health, including:

• A CMHA Swift Current-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the organization’s community-based services

• Videos featuring Swift Current Broncos players talking about the importance of mental health

• Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA Swift Current

• Mental health signs for fans to write on and show in unison at a designated stoppage in play

• A CMHA Swift Current fundraising component

This mental health awareness game is part of the Broncos ongoing partnership with CMHA Swift Current and its Talk Today program.

This season, Talk Today is celebrating a major milestone – its 10th season of supporting junior hockey. Since its launch in 2014, Talk Today has provided an important opportunity to address the mental health needs of hockey players and other athletes across Canada. From 2014 through the 2022-23 season, nearly 8,600 individuals have received mental health and suicide awareness training through the program. The vast majority of individuals trained are athletes (7,598), but coaches (381), staff (217), billets and parents (400) have also participated in training, helping to create a culture of openness within athlete support networks.

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and suicide prevention. Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach, who provides support and mental health resources to individuals in need. 

 “By hosting this event, the Swift Current Broncos and CMHA Swift Current are helping to eliminate the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within the sports community about mental health, said Todd Vallee, Executive Director of CMHA Swift Current.

“Our annual CMHA Talk Today Game is always an important night for our organization and we’re extremely grateful to once again partner with CMHA Swift Current to increase public awareness and promote mental health in our community.” said Kevin Simpson, Executive Vice President of Business Operations of the Broncos.

Tickets for the game are still available. For ticket information, head to tickets.scbroncos.com

For more information on the Talk Today program, visit http://www.talktoday.ca.