For years, the National Hockey League has taken part in initiatives that raise awareness for different issues within society. There’s a month dedicated to finding a cure for cancer and another recognizing the members of our military.
Mental health awareness wasn’t a priority until recently. It took some losses and a few players sharing their story publicly, but the league’s beginning to realize that the battles faced in our minds are worth taking seriously.
Beginning with the passing of Rick Rypien, the NHL has begun shining a light on the issues many people face. They have done so through a variety of initiatives designed to spotlight an illness that society doesn’t often discuss.
One by one, players have opened up regarding their own mental health struggles. From Daniel Carcillo’s admission that repeated concussions led to his decline to Robin Lehner publicly chronicling his journey through bipolar disorder and substance abuse, the league noticed that athletes are human. That led to the start of a mental health movement across the NHL.
Hockey Talks Gets the Conversation Going
In 2013, the Vancouver Canucks founded the Hockey Talks initiative in an attempt to end the stigma surrounding mental health. It also allowed them to pay homage to former teammate, Rypien, who struggled silently before taking his own life in August of 2011.
Since its inception, the initiative has seen growth nearly every year. It began with all seven Canadian NHL teams hosting a night dedicated to mental health discussion. Eight other teams have joined in recent years, upping the count to 15 total. Those are the Arizona Coyotes, Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils.
Hockey Talks uses a variety of different ways to raise mental health awareness. This includes in-arena messaging, online storytelling and sharing information and experiences during the designated game night. Fans are encouraged to join in by sharing their own stories or messages of support via social media, using the hashtag #HockeyTalks.
Bell Lets Talk Day Raises Funds and Awareness
Another initiative that raises awareness for those living with mental health issues is Bell Let’s Talk Day. Beginning in 2011, this day allows individuals to share their personal stories while keeping the conversation going regarding mental health.
It also serves as a fundraiser, with Bell Canada donating five cents to Canadian mental health programs for every tweet and retweet using the hashtag #BellLetsTalk. Viewing the Bell Let’s Talk Day video on the three major social media platforms will also help the cause.
A Call to Action
While half of the NHL has recognized the need for a night dedicated to raising mental health awareness, the other half is lagging behind. That includes the Tampa Bay Lightning.
For a team that’s involved in the community and all other initiatives, it’s surprising they haven’t taken part in something that affects millions of people worldwide. In fact, statistics show that 1 in 5 U.S. adults and 1 in 6 youth experience a mental health illness every year. Of those, only 43.3 percent of adults and 50.6 percent of youth received treatment. That’s disheartening, further illustrating the point that the stigma is still prevalent in society today.
In order to break the stigma completely, everyone must join the conversation. That could make a big difference, whether it be saving a life or lending an ear to someone in need. Four important words to those who battle mental illness on a daily basis: You are not alone. Nobody is ever alone.
