Talk Today is a comprehensive mental health program that raises awareness of mental health among young athletes. The program includes evidence-based mental health and suicide awareness workshops and, critically, fosters partnerships between participating sports organizations and local branches of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), including our branches across Canada.
Originally launched in 2014 by the CMHA Ontario Division in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), our Talk Today program provides an important opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across the province and Canada. This program has become a valuable platform for CMHA branches, teams, and individual players to encourage open discussion about mental health within the hockey community and the broader public.
This program reaches all youth audiences, including all genders, Newcomers and refugees, 2SLGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous and People of Colour – proving again that sport has no boundaries. While Talk Today began in hockey, we also work with youth athletes in Football and Taekwondo.
Mental illness has a significant impact on youth, with many individuals exhibiting symptoms before reaching 18 years of age. In Canada:
- Approximately 20% of young people are affected by a mental illness or disorder.
- Alarmingly, suicide is the second leading cause of death among the youth population.
Teenage and early adult high-performance athletes often experience significant stress, and the challenges they face can feel overwhelming. They are not only striving to excel and reach the next level in their sport but are also navigating critical educational and social phases of their lives. Talk Today was created to support these young athletes and to help destigmatize seeking help for mental health issues.
Since its inception in 2014, more than 13,000 participants have received training in mental health awareness and suicide prevention across junior hockey, collegiate programs, and minor sports organizations. This year, we aim to increase this number by approximately 5,000 through our partnerships with the Junior Hockey League, Taekwondo Canada, and Football Ontario.
support
Your voice matters. Show your support for submitted projects by leaving a comment, sharing your story or photo, or posting to social media. Every bit of encouragement helps communities grow stronger together.
Awesome project.