(Keith Hershmiller/WHL)

By Rob Mahon

Raiders And Mental Health

Raiders show support for CMHA Prince Albert on Giving Tuesday

Nov 30, 2021 | 2:00 PM

The conversation around mental health has expanded in recent years, and the hockey world has been no exception.

With that in mind, as November wraps up on a day known as Giving Tuesday, the Prince Albert Raiders have thrown their support behind an organization that places mental health first and foremost.

The Raiders are encouraging their fans to support the Canadian Mental Health Association’s (CMHA) chapter in Prince Albert Tuesday, taking to social media to bring awareness to the organization. In fact, the entire WHL is doing the same thing.

“This is part of a league-wide initiative,” said Brett Smith, manager of communications and community services with the Raiders. “We’re very happy to support it. We’ve partnered with CMHA through the league many times over the years through their Talk Today program.”

National

Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds

A few minutes ago

Budget woes

Golf and curling centre faces grim season without financial boost

3h ago

Raiders AGM

Raiders impact on Prince Albert local economy continues to go up: AGM report

21h ago

In Prince Albert, the Raiders occupy a high seat in the public eye and a special place in their fans’ hearts, so seeing them use their voice to support CMHA was great, though not surprising, for CMHA leadership.

“I think it shows how important it is to be role models when you are in a significant position in our society,” said Doug Kinar, executive director of the CMHA Prince Albert. “The Raiders do specifically a very fantastic job of doing that. They have one of the best records of mental health support for their players and, in turn, for the community.”

Mental health has been thrown into the spotlight in hockey in recent years as more professional players are opening up about their mental health struggles, and role models like them doing it have seemed to help others do so.

“I would say in general there’s been a growing awareness of mental health and what it means to have strong mental health,” said Smith. “I think, especially through the pandemic, we worked with the Canadian Mental Health Association to spread messaging. It’s just a growing awareness of mental health and the importance of that to have a good balanced life.”

This time of year, in particular, mental health gets even more of a spotlight as shorter days affect those with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and November is a month in which men’s health issues (including mental health) are in focus during Movember.

“People are starting to realize that mental health affects everybody,” said Kinar. “If it gets to the point where it’s long term and enduring, then it’s an illness. But everybody is affected by mental health because everybody has good days and bad days. The more awareness we develop over time, the better.”

The Raiders are encouraging their fans to support the CMHA at this link.

—-

rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP