By Karsen Marczuk

WHL’s Goals For Mental Health raises shy of $20K

May 13, 2021 | 1:19 PM

CALGARY, AB– He shoots, he scores, they give.

The Western Hockey League announced Thursday that $19,455 has been raised by Goals For Mental Health presented by RE/MAX, to help benefit the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in Western Canada.

Throughout the 2020-21 WHL season, RE/MAX donated $15 for every goal scored by WHL Clubs in 17 Western Canadian markets. Since the start of the Central Division on Feb. 26, through the wrap-up of the B.C Division on May 12, WHL players scored a combined 1,297 goals.

The Lethbridge Hurricanes scored 86 of those goals, raising $1,290 in support of mental health.

The WHL, RE/MAX, and CMHA joined forces during the unprecedented season to deliver a number of digital programs supporting mental health. Throughout the season, fans were provided with Talk Today tips on how they could support positive mental health.

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The Mental Health Moments public awareness campaign gave fans a glimpse into the things WHL players do to support their own mental health.

“We are proud to be working alongside our longstanding corporate partner RE/MAX of Western Canada in supporting the Canadian Mental Health Association and mental health initiatives in Western Canada,” said WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “The Goals For Mental Health program not only allowed RE/MAX and the WHL to give back to our communities, but also provided an opportunity to deliver positive messages from our players on mental health during these challenging times.”

“On behalf of CMHAs across Western Canada, I’d like to thank RE/MAX and the WHL for their generous support,” said David Grauwiler, Executive Director, CMHA Alberta Division. “Your support throughout this season will not only help our local regions, it has already helped raise awareness about mental health by challenging the stigma around seeking support at a time when so many are struggling.”

“It’s our pleasure to be associated with the WHL and CMHA for this very timely initiative and we hope that it helped share the need to talk and to listen,” said Elaine Langhout, Director, Regional Advertising for RE/MAX of Western Canada. “We are all in this together.”

The WHL has worked with CMHA to deliver Talk Today programming in all 22 WHL markets since January 2017. The Talk Today program includes an educational component called safeTALK for WHL players, providing mental health training specific to suicide awareness.

This type of training helps teach individuals the importance of talking about mental health, how to acknowledge signs of suicide, seek help when they’re in need of support, and connect others in need of support to suicide first-aid resources.

A CMHA Mental Health Coach has been assigned to each WHL team to provide support and mental health resources to individuals who may be in need.

Talk Today is a mandatory program within the WHL’s Players First support services program. The WHL’s Player’s First programs provide educational, mentorship, and support services which touch on many issues such as bullying, mental health, and leadership, along with extensive health and safety initiatives.

The Edmonton Oil Kings and Brandon Wheat Kings tied for the most goals this season, with each team scoring 104.