Blades partner with Canadian Mental Health Association for Wednesday game

The Saskatoon Blades have partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) to spread awareness during the Wednesday night game against the Brandon Wheat Kings.

It’s part of the ongoing Talk Today program which launched in the WHL in 2016.

The executive director of CMHA’s Saskatoon branch Faith Bodnar explained young people often struggle with mental health, particularly young men.

“We just want to make sure they’re able to talk about what they need to and that they’re able to get the help they need,” Bodnar said.

During the game, CMHA will have kiosks set up around SaskTel Centre where people can learn more about mental health and community-based services.

There are also videos featuring Blades players talking about the importance of mental health.

“These young men are under a lot of stress and pressure to perform and many of them are away from home,” Bodner said. “We, as a local CMHA, really want to help them be their best.”

One of the main features of Talk Today is to address WHL player’s mental health needs.

Through the program, more than 800 players and 100 coaches, billets and staff have received mental health and suicide prevention training, a media release said.

Wednesday’s game between the Blades and Wheat Kings is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.