Faceoff for Mental Health backed by hockey associations
“It really was to see if there was anything we could do to get more awareness around the hockey community,” said Alex McFadden, coach of the Lambton Jr. Sting Minor Midget AAA.
“You hear stories about some of the things that have happened with some of the youth in Sarnia and it’s devastating,” he said.
“It breaks your heart.”
McFadden said he contacted Craig McKenzie, director of operations at St. Clair Child and Youth Services, to ask if there was anything he could do to make himself, and other coaches in the local hockey community, more aware of how they could help.
McKenzie said one in five children and youth will experience a mental health problem.
“That’s one player on a line,” he added.
McKenzie said that following the initial conversation, they decided to reach out to other teams and associations to see if they were interested in getting involved.
“I was blown away by the response,” McKenzie said.
“I think almost every hockey association threw their hat in the ring, right away and said, ‘We need to talk about this.’”
St. Clair Child and Youth Services, the lead agency for children’s mental health in Lambton, has been offering mental health sessions with team bench staff in the associations to talk about signs and symptoms to watch for, and where to find help in the community.
“Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t talk about it,” McKenzie said.
“Because they don’t talk about it, they often don’t know what the resources are, so that’s really one of the key things we’re focusing on.”
There are plans to expand the education campaign to players and hockey parents.
Also, local hockey associations are holding mental health awareness weekends throughout November, with home teams showing support by wrapping sticks in green tape, referencing the green ribbon for mental health symbol.
Sunday, the Lambton Jr. Sting Minor Midget AAA planned to make donations to support mental health initiatives during a ceremonial puck drop before its game with London at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena.
Thursday, the Sarnia Legionnaires have a mental health awareness night planned for their 7 p.m. game with LaSalle, with both teams showing support with green tape on their sticks.
That night, children and youth wearing a local hockey jersey will get into the game free.
McKenzie said the campaign is considering creating a video to get the message out to players in the associations.
Another plan is to have the Faceoff for Mental Health and Kids Help Phone logos printed on pucks.
“We’re going to try and get those into the hands of every kid in the associations,” McKenzie said.
Associations involved in the campaign include Point Edward Minor Hockey Association, Sarnia Hockey Association, Lambton Sting Jr. AAA Hockey Club, Petrolia Minor Hockey Association, Lambton Attack Girls Hockey, Lambton Shores Minor Hockey Association and the East Lambton Minor Hockey Association.
“The whole county has been very supportive of this idea, which has been awesome,” McFadden said.
“It all started with the cup of coffee with Alex,” McKenzie said.
pmorden@postmedia.com
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