Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities....

24
Game-day guide Presented by:

Transcript of Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities....

Page 1: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

Game-day guide

Presented by

2 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contents

3 Introduction

4 Game-day elements

Branding 4

Logo colour palette 5

CMHA branch kioskstables 6

Athlete videos 7

Public addressvideo board announcements 8

Talk Today placards 9

Pre-game ceremonies 10

Fundraisingother elements 10

11 Communications elements

Talk Today website banner 11

Social media plan and sample posts 12

Social media hashtag and channels 12

Tracking and monitoring 14

Sample posts for clubs and CMHA branches 14

News release template 16

CMHA branch key messages 19

21 Summary

23 Contact

3CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Mental health and suicide prevention awareness games are core components of Talk Today

These games create opportunities to extend the culture of mental health and suicide prevention

from the dressing room to the community Awareness games help destigmatize mental health

issues and give the local Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) the opportunity to share

information about programs and services that benefit the broader community

Each league should try to cluster its member clubsrsquo game-day events within a short defined

time period (eg a week two weeks a month) Clustering the games allows the league and

CMHA to gain concentrated exposure through social and traditional media

CMHA has developed this guide to help you host successful game-day events The guide

is divided into two sections 1) game-day elements and 2) communications elements that

support the game days

Introduction

4 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Game-day elements

BrandingCMHA has created the following Talk Today logos The logos (which are links to customizable

templates) provide flexibility for provincial or local use

Local CMHA branch and team logos can be inserted into these designs These logos can help

recognize a branch relationship with a sports league or local club These logos should be used

for

bull Talk Today program materials that are local or provincial in scope

bull Jointly-branded materialsevents created by a CMHA branch and local club

bull Jointly-branded materials created by a CMHA provincial division and provincial (or

broader) league

1

1

2

Presented by

Presented by

5CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Logo colour palette

PANTONE PMS 326

C 87 M 0 Y 38 K 0

R 0 G 177 B 176

HEX Value 00b1b0

PANTONE PMS 382

C 35 M 0 Y 100 K 0

R 178 G 210 B 53

HEX Value b2d235

R 77 G 77 B 77

HEX Value 4d4d4d

70 Black

C 0 M 0 Y 0 K 70

Print Web

6 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch kioskstablesThe local CMHA branch will set up a kiosktable on game day and distribute materials about

Talk Today and other programs to fans in attendance

The branch should work with the club to determine set-up time location access etc and

note any restrictions

In some instances local branches have distributed swag (eg toques or stress pucks) to fans

Should a branch wish to do a giveaway clearance must be received by the team or league

2

7CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Athlete videosShould teams have capability itrsquos recommended players read the provided scripts on

camera in advance of the games These video public service announcements should each be

approximately 15 seconds long

The videos can then be played on scoreboard screens during the games on team and CMHA

branch websites and social media accounts

Click the images below for samples of athlete video

3

CMHA has developed the following scripts for video announcements

a ldquoHockey can be tough Talking shouldnrsquot be Our partnership with the Canadian Mental

Health Association reminds players to take mental health seriously You should toordquo

b ldquoWe all go through tough times We can ask for help from the Canadian Mental Health

Association You shouldnrsquot be afraid to ask for help eitherrdquo

c ldquoThrough the Talk Today program our team has support from the local branch of the

Canadian Mental Health Association The CMHA is there for you toordquo

If video production is possible itrsquos recommended that one of the Talk Today logos be added to

the end of the video

Keep the conversation going online

TalkToday

Presented by

Presented by

8 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Public addressvideo board announcementsClubs routinely read public address announcements

during stoppages in play The template scripts

provided can be altered to include local team names

and read during those stoppages These should be 15

seconds long

There are also corresponding video graphics to

accompany each announcement The video boards

can be altered to suit the needs of the team and

CMHA branch

a ldquoTodayrsquos (club name) game is dedicated to Talk

Today the leaguersquos mental health program The

Canadian Mental Health Association works with

the (club name) to foster positive mental health

The CMHA can help you too Visit the CMHA

kiosk located at (location) for more informationrdquo

bull Use the graphic shown when reading this

message Please incorporate your local CMHA

branch and teamleague logo

b ldquoThe Canadian Mental Health Association is

working with the (club name) and the rest of the

(league name) on the leaguersquos mental health

program You can do your part Use the hashtag

Talk Today and keep the conversation about

mental health going onlinerdquo

bull Use graphic shown when reading this

message

4

9CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today placardsTeams and CMHA branches can create signs or use plain white pieces of Bristol board for

this element

The slogans provided and ldquoTalkTodayrdquo can be printedwritten on the signsBristol board A

photo taken of a player holding the placard is an image that can be used in several ways

For example some clubs have posted the images on video boards during games while other

clubs and CMHA branches have used the images on social media before during and after

awareness games

5

a There is strength in speaking up

TalkToday

c I will help you get help

TalkToday

b Itrsquos OK to ask for help

TalkToday

d You are not alone

TalkToday

10 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Pre-game ceremoniesWhere possible teams should invite CMHA branch staff to participate in a pre-game ceremony

In the case of hockey a ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity is most common

6

Fundraisingother elementsTeams and CMHA branches can add more elements to further enhance the awareness games

For example CMHA branches have benefited from 5050 draws or chuck-a-puck fundraising

efforts at the games CMHA staff should ask team staff if this is possible

Free tickets have also been issued to CMHA branch staff and clients as a way to display a

cohesive partnership

Another suggestion is to use green stick tape and skate laces to promote positive mental

health Green is the colour of mental health and CMHA

7

11CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today website bannerThe template banners (below) have been created to allow each team and CMHA branch to

customize a banner for their respective websites and social media accounts

The template banners can be used to link to a template news release posted on respective

team and CMHA branch web pages

Click on the template web banner for a high-resolution version

1

Communications elements

12 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Social media plan and sample postsThis plan will help CMHA branches and teams use social media effectively to promote Talk

Today game days and raise awareness about positive mental health and suicide prevention

2

Social media hashtags and channels

1 Hashtag The hashtag to be used to promote all Talk Today special events on all channels

is TalkToday

2 Channels (CMHA branch team and league wherever possible)

a Websites

b Twitter

c Facebook

d Instagram

13CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Activities

Timeline Channel Activities

Week before

event

Twitter bull Promote the event on Twitter (see suggested teaser tweets provided

below)

Facebook bull Promote the event on Facebook (see suggested teaser posts

provided below)

Once news

release is issued

Websites bull Post the news release and banner announcing the event

Twitter bull Tweet link to the news release (see suggested tweets provided)

Facebook bull Share news release on Facebook (see suggested posts provided)

Event day Websites bull Take pictures to post on the website following the event

Twitter bull Encourage fan participation during the game use the video board

and public address announcements and encourage fans to share

their support on Instagram Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag

TalkToday

bull Share live tweets from teambranch accounts at the event

bull CMHA branches and divisions will retweet event tweets

Facebook bull Announce that it is event day on Facebook and share live photos if

possible

Instagram bull Encourage players and attendees to post pictures from the event

using the hashtag TalkToday

Following the

event

Websites bull Create and post web story summarizing launch event with photos for

teamsbranches to post

Twitter bull Tweet media coverage of event

Facebook bull Share photos of event on Facebook

Instagram bull Share photos of event on Instagram

14 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Tracking and monitoring

All CMHA and league participants must use TalkToday for social media posts related to

the project This will enable CMHA to monitor and track the use of the hashtag across three

platforms (Instagram Facebook Twitter)

Sample posts for clubs and CMHA branches

Twitter

Tweets before news release is issued or before game-day events

bull Wersquore hard at work on something exciting with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA

branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Stay tuned

bull We canrsquot wait to share what wersquore working on with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert

CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Itrsquos going to be great Stay tuned

Tweets when news release is issued or when publicizing the game-day events

bull Help us promote positive mentalhealth Join us for the annual TalkToday event with ltinsert

teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link

to news release on branch websitegt

bull Our TalkToday initiative with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter

handlegt and TeachersLifeCAN continues with our annual special event Join us on ltinsert

dategt to talk mentalhealth

Tweets day of event

bull 1 in 5 youth struggle with mentalhealth issues Itrsquos time to TalkToday about mental health

Join us amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

bull Today wersquore encouraging conversation about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter

handlegt at the annual TalkToday event wtih TeachersLifeCAN Follow us for live updates

ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Tweets following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handle gt amp

TeachersLifeCAN for its support in talking about mental health ltinsert photo of the game

event if possiblegt TalkToday ltinsert link to story on teambranch websitegt

bull Thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos Twitter handleinsert CMHA branch Twitter handlegt

TeachersLifeCAN and fans for making our annual TalkToday event a success Yoursquore all

helping to make positive mentalhealth a part of our community ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

15CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Facebook

Facebook posts when news release is issued or when publicizing the event

bull Our Talk Today initiative with (the teamlocal CMHA branch) amp Teachers Life continues

Wersquore taking the mental health conversation into the community with our annual Talk Today

event - join us ltinsert link to news releasegt on branch websitegt

Facebook post day of event

bull One in five youth struggle with mental health issues Today wersquore encouraging conversation

about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos Facebook pageinsert CMHA branchrsquos Facebook

pagegt and Teachers Life at the annual TalkToday event Follow us for live updates at the

game ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Facebook post following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquosCMHArsquos Facebook pagegt fans and Teachers Life for making

our annual Talk Today event a success Yoursquore all a part of making positive mental health a

part of our community ltinsert photo of the gameevent if possiblegt ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

16 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

News release templateThis requires collaboration between the CMHA branch and the club Both sides need to work

together to finalize the release Most notably additional elements specific to each teamrsquos game

need to be added as do quotes and contact information from representatives from the branch

and the team

The media contact on the release should be comfortable confident and available to speak to

reporters about Talk Today and the awareness game To help with interviews a key message

document (for internal purposes only) is provided as part of this package The release should

be distributed to the teamrsquos media contacts a few days before the awareness game to spark

interest in the program and the game

3

Presented by

17CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

[Team] to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA [Branch] presented by

Teachers Life

[City Date] ndash The [club name] have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association [name of

local branch] for a mental health awareness game [date and time of game] presented by Teachers

Life when the [club name] take on the [opponent name] at [arena name]

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health

including

bull A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the

organizationrsquos community-based services

bull A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA [branch name]

bull Videos featuring [club name] players talking about the importance of mental health

bull Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA [name of local branch]

bull Mental health signs for fans to write on and show in unison at a designated stoppage in play

bull A CMHA fundraising component

This mental health awareness game is part of the [club name]rsquos ongoing partnership with CMHA

[local branch] and its Talk Today program presented by Teachers Life Originally launched by CMHA

Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014 Talk Today provides an important

opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada Through this program

over 1100 OHL players and over 400 coaches billets and staff have received mental health and

suicide prevention training across the league

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and

suicide prevention Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach who provides support

and mental health resources to individuals in need Additionally CMHA experts work with players

from the [club name] to deliver a basic in-class presentation about mental wellness to elementary

school students

ldquo[Quote from local CMHA branch using key messages provided]rdquo said [name] executive director

CEOmental health coach of CMHA [local branch]

18 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

ldquo[Quote from local team contact]rdquo said [name] [position] of the [local club]

Tickets for the game are still available starting from $[price] For ticket information contact [info

from local club]

Read more about Talk Today [link to web story]

About Teachers Life

Teachers Life is a not-for-profit federally regulated life-insurance company and North Americarsquos

largest educator-owned fraternal insurer Founded in 1939 Teachers Life offers a full suite of

personal insurance products to address the unique needs of the whole education community

including educators administrators support staff and their families Teachers Life is the first

insurance provider in Canada to underwrite life insurance products online in as little as 15 minutes

As a not-for-profit fraternal insurer community commitment is a core value for Teachers Life For

more information please visit wwwteacherslifecom

About Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario is a not-for-profit charitable organization

funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care We work to improve the lives of

all Ontarians through leadership collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-

based mental health and addictions services Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the

mental health of all people We are a trusted advisor to government contributing to health systems

development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health

Our 30 local CMHA branches together with community-based mental health and addictions service

providers across the province serve approximately 500000 Ontarians each year

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the worldrsquos

largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American

states In addition to the OHL the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and

the Western Hockey League Last season more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the

regular season playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup The CHL supplies more players to

the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league For more information visit www

ontariohockeyleaguecom

-30-

Media contacts

[name]

[title]

[CMHA local branch]

[phone number]

[email address]

[name]

[title]

[local club]

[phone number]

[email address]

19CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch key messagesThese key messages are designed for teams and CMHA branch representatives to help with

discussing Talk Today with the publicmedia By using these all parties are contributing to

consistent messaging about the program These key messages are not to be distributed publicly

Issue

CMHA branches and teams are collaborating to hold game-day events across the country

for Talk Today a project that aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise

awareness about mental health and suicide prevention

Key messages

bull Wersquore extremely grateful to partner with the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] to host a Talk

Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community

bull Talk Today provides mental health support and raises suicide awareness among the [local

team] organization and throughout [the league]

bull Members of the [local team] play leadership roles within the community and players

particularly are seen as excellent role models who positively influence young fans and their

families

bull By hosting this event the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] are helping eliminate the stigma

and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within

the community about mental health

Key messages ndash youth mental health

bull One in five youth struggles with mental health

bull In Canada suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the

ages of 10 and 24

bull In the US suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of

15 and 24

4

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 2: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

2 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contents

3 Introduction

4 Game-day elements

Branding 4

Logo colour palette 5

CMHA branch kioskstables 6

Athlete videos 7

Public addressvideo board announcements 8

Talk Today placards 9

Pre-game ceremonies 10

Fundraisingother elements 10

11 Communications elements

Talk Today website banner 11

Social media plan and sample posts 12

Social media hashtag and channels 12

Tracking and monitoring 14

Sample posts for clubs and CMHA branches 14

News release template 16

CMHA branch key messages 19

21 Summary

23 Contact

3CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Mental health and suicide prevention awareness games are core components of Talk Today

These games create opportunities to extend the culture of mental health and suicide prevention

from the dressing room to the community Awareness games help destigmatize mental health

issues and give the local Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) the opportunity to share

information about programs and services that benefit the broader community

Each league should try to cluster its member clubsrsquo game-day events within a short defined

time period (eg a week two weeks a month) Clustering the games allows the league and

CMHA to gain concentrated exposure through social and traditional media

CMHA has developed this guide to help you host successful game-day events The guide

is divided into two sections 1) game-day elements and 2) communications elements that

support the game days

Introduction

4 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Game-day elements

BrandingCMHA has created the following Talk Today logos The logos (which are links to customizable

templates) provide flexibility for provincial or local use

Local CMHA branch and team logos can be inserted into these designs These logos can help

recognize a branch relationship with a sports league or local club These logos should be used

for

bull Talk Today program materials that are local or provincial in scope

bull Jointly-branded materialsevents created by a CMHA branch and local club

bull Jointly-branded materials created by a CMHA provincial division and provincial (or

broader) league

1

1

2

Presented by

Presented by

5CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Logo colour palette

PANTONE PMS 326

C 87 M 0 Y 38 K 0

R 0 G 177 B 176

HEX Value 00b1b0

PANTONE PMS 382

C 35 M 0 Y 100 K 0

R 178 G 210 B 53

HEX Value b2d235

R 77 G 77 B 77

HEX Value 4d4d4d

70 Black

C 0 M 0 Y 0 K 70

Print Web

6 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch kioskstablesThe local CMHA branch will set up a kiosktable on game day and distribute materials about

Talk Today and other programs to fans in attendance

The branch should work with the club to determine set-up time location access etc and

note any restrictions

In some instances local branches have distributed swag (eg toques or stress pucks) to fans

Should a branch wish to do a giveaway clearance must be received by the team or league

2

7CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Athlete videosShould teams have capability itrsquos recommended players read the provided scripts on

camera in advance of the games These video public service announcements should each be

approximately 15 seconds long

The videos can then be played on scoreboard screens during the games on team and CMHA

branch websites and social media accounts

Click the images below for samples of athlete video

3

CMHA has developed the following scripts for video announcements

a ldquoHockey can be tough Talking shouldnrsquot be Our partnership with the Canadian Mental

Health Association reminds players to take mental health seriously You should toordquo

b ldquoWe all go through tough times We can ask for help from the Canadian Mental Health

Association You shouldnrsquot be afraid to ask for help eitherrdquo

c ldquoThrough the Talk Today program our team has support from the local branch of the

Canadian Mental Health Association The CMHA is there for you toordquo

If video production is possible itrsquos recommended that one of the Talk Today logos be added to

the end of the video

Keep the conversation going online

TalkToday

Presented by

Presented by

8 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Public addressvideo board announcementsClubs routinely read public address announcements

during stoppages in play The template scripts

provided can be altered to include local team names

and read during those stoppages These should be 15

seconds long

There are also corresponding video graphics to

accompany each announcement The video boards

can be altered to suit the needs of the team and

CMHA branch

a ldquoTodayrsquos (club name) game is dedicated to Talk

Today the leaguersquos mental health program The

Canadian Mental Health Association works with

the (club name) to foster positive mental health

The CMHA can help you too Visit the CMHA

kiosk located at (location) for more informationrdquo

bull Use the graphic shown when reading this

message Please incorporate your local CMHA

branch and teamleague logo

b ldquoThe Canadian Mental Health Association is

working with the (club name) and the rest of the

(league name) on the leaguersquos mental health

program You can do your part Use the hashtag

Talk Today and keep the conversation about

mental health going onlinerdquo

bull Use graphic shown when reading this

message

4

9CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today placardsTeams and CMHA branches can create signs or use plain white pieces of Bristol board for

this element

The slogans provided and ldquoTalkTodayrdquo can be printedwritten on the signsBristol board A

photo taken of a player holding the placard is an image that can be used in several ways

For example some clubs have posted the images on video boards during games while other

clubs and CMHA branches have used the images on social media before during and after

awareness games

5

a There is strength in speaking up

TalkToday

c I will help you get help

TalkToday

b Itrsquos OK to ask for help

TalkToday

d You are not alone

TalkToday

10 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Pre-game ceremoniesWhere possible teams should invite CMHA branch staff to participate in a pre-game ceremony

In the case of hockey a ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity is most common

6

Fundraisingother elementsTeams and CMHA branches can add more elements to further enhance the awareness games

For example CMHA branches have benefited from 5050 draws or chuck-a-puck fundraising

efforts at the games CMHA staff should ask team staff if this is possible

Free tickets have also been issued to CMHA branch staff and clients as a way to display a

cohesive partnership

Another suggestion is to use green stick tape and skate laces to promote positive mental

health Green is the colour of mental health and CMHA

7

11CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today website bannerThe template banners (below) have been created to allow each team and CMHA branch to

customize a banner for their respective websites and social media accounts

The template banners can be used to link to a template news release posted on respective

team and CMHA branch web pages

Click on the template web banner for a high-resolution version

1

Communications elements

12 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Social media plan and sample postsThis plan will help CMHA branches and teams use social media effectively to promote Talk

Today game days and raise awareness about positive mental health and suicide prevention

2

Social media hashtags and channels

1 Hashtag The hashtag to be used to promote all Talk Today special events on all channels

is TalkToday

2 Channels (CMHA branch team and league wherever possible)

a Websites

b Twitter

c Facebook

d Instagram

13CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Activities

Timeline Channel Activities

Week before

event

Twitter bull Promote the event on Twitter (see suggested teaser tweets provided

below)

Facebook bull Promote the event on Facebook (see suggested teaser posts

provided below)

Once news

release is issued

Websites bull Post the news release and banner announcing the event

Twitter bull Tweet link to the news release (see suggested tweets provided)

Facebook bull Share news release on Facebook (see suggested posts provided)

Event day Websites bull Take pictures to post on the website following the event

Twitter bull Encourage fan participation during the game use the video board

and public address announcements and encourage fans to share

their support on Instagram Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag

TalkToday

bull Share live tweets from teambranch accounts at the event

bull CMHA branches and divisions will retweet event tweets

Facebook bull Announce that it is event day on Facebook and share live photos if

possible

Instagram bull Encourage players and attendees to post pictures from the event

using the hashtag TalkToday

Following the

event

Websites bull Create and post web story summarizing launch event with photos for

teamsbranches to post

Twitter bull Tweet media coverage of event

Facebook bull Share photos of event on Facebook

Instagram bull Share photos of event on Instagram

14 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Tracking and monitoring

All CMHA and league participants must use TalkToday for social media posts related to

the project This will enable CMHA to monitor and track the use of the hashtag across three

platforms (Instagram Facebook Twitter)

Sample posts for clubs and CMHA branches

Twitter

Tweets before news release is issued or before game-day events

bull Wersquore hard at work on something exciting with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA

branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Stay tuned

bull We canrsquot wait to share what wersquore working on with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert

CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Itrsquos going to be great Stay tuned

Tweets when news release is issued or when publicizing the game-day events

bull Help us promote positive mentalhealth Join us for the annual TalkToday event with ltinsert

teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link

to news release on branch websitegt

bull Our TalkToday initiative with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter

handlegt and TeachersLifeCAN continues with our annual special event Join us on ltinsert

dategt to talk mentalhealth

Tweets day of event

bull 1 in 5 youth struggle with mentalhealth issues Itrsquos time to TalkToday about mental health

Join us amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

bull Today wersquore encouraging conversation about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter

handlegt at the annual TalkToday event wtih TeachersLifeCAN Follow us for live updates

ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Tweets following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handle gt amp

TeachersLifeCAN for its support in talking about mental health ltinsert photo of the game

event if possiblegt TalkToday ltinsert link to story on teambranch websitegt

bull Thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos Twitter handleinsert CMHA branch Twitter handlegt

TeachersLifeCAN and fans for making our annual TalkToday event a success Yoursquore all

helping to make positive mentalhealth a part of our community ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

15CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Facebook

Facebook posts when news release is issued or when publicizing the event

bull Our Talk Today initiative with (the teamlocal CMHA branch) amp Teachers Life continues

Wersquore taking the mental health conversation into the community with our annual Talk Today

event - join us ltinsert link to news releasegt on branch websitegt

Facebook post day of event

bull One in five youth struggle with mental health issues Today wersquore encouraging conversation

about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos Facebook pageinsert CMHA branchrsquos Facebook

pagegt and Teachers Life at the annual TalkToday event Follow us for live updates at the

game ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Facebook post following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquosCMHArsquos Facebook pagegt fans and Teachers Life for making

our annual Talk Today event a success Yoursquore all a part of making positive mental health a

part of our community ltinsert photo of the gameevent if possiblegt ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

16 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

News release templateThis requires collaboration between the CMHA branch and the club Both sides need to work

together to finalize the release Most notably additional elements specific to each teamrsquos game

need to be added as do quotes and contact information from representatives from the branch

and the team

The media contact on the release should be comfortable confident and available to speak to

reporters about Talk Today and the awareness game To help with interviews a key message

document (for internal purposes only) is provided as part of this package The release should

be distributed to the teamrsquos media contacts a few days before the awareness game to spark

interest in the program and the game

3

Presented by

17CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

[Team] to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA [Branch] presented by

Teachers Life

[City Date] ndash The [club name] have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association [name of

local branch] for a mental health awareness game [date and time of game] presented by Teachers

Life when the [club name] take on the [opponent name] at [arena name]

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health

including

bull A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the

organizationrsquos community-based services

bull A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA [branch name]

bull Videos featuring [club name] players talking about the importance of mental health

bull Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA [name of local branch]

bull Mental health signs for fans to write on and show in unison at a designated stoppage in play

bull A CMHA fundraising component

This mental health awareness game is part of the [club name]rsquos ongoing partnership with CMHA

[local branch] and its Talk Today program presented by Teachers Life Originally launched by CMHA

Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014 Talk Today provides an important

opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada Through this program

over 1100 OHL players and over 400 coaches billets and staff have received mental health and

suicide prevention training across the league

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and

suicide prevention Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach who provides support

and mental health resources to individuals in need Additionally CMHA experts work with players

from the [club name] to deliver a basic in-class presentation about mental wellness to elementary

school students

ldquo[Quote from local CMHA branch using key messages provided]rdquo said [name] executive director

CEOmental health coach of CMHA [local branch]

18 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

ldquo[Quote from local team contact]rdquo said [name] [position] of the [local club]

Tickets for the game are still available starting from $[price] For ticket information contact [info

from local club]

Read more about Talk Today [link to web story]

About Teachers Life

Teachers Life is a not-for-profit federally regulated life-insurance company and North Americarsquos

largest educator-owned fraternal insurer Founded in 1939 Teachers Life offers a full suite of

personal insurance products to address the unique needs of the whole education community

including educators administrators support staff and their families Teachers Life is the first

insurance provider in Canada to underwrite life insurance products online in as little as 15 minutes

As a not-for-profit fraternal insurer community commitment is a core value for Teachers Life For

more information please visit wwwteacherslifecom

About Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario is a not-for-profit charitable organization

funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care We work to improve the lives of

all Ontarians through leadership collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-

based mental health and addictions services Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the

mental health of all people We are a trusted advisor to government contributing to health systems

development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health

Our 30 local CMHA branches together with community-based mental health and addictions service

providers across the province serve approximately 500000 Ontarians each year

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the worldrsquos

largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American

states In addition to the OHL the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and

the Western Hockey League Last season more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the

regular season playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup The CHL supplies more players to

the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league For more information visit www

ontariohockeyleaguecom

-30-

Media contacts

[name]

[title]

[CMHA local branch]

[phone number]

[email address]

[name]

[title]

[local club]

[phone number]

[email address]

19CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch key messagesThese key messages are designed for teams and CMHA branch representatives to help with

discussing Talk Today with the publicmedia By using these all parties are contributing to

consistent messaging about the program These key messages are not to be distributed publicly

Issue

CMHA branches and teams are collaborating to hold game-day events across the country

for Talk Today a project that aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise

awareness about mental health and suicide prevention

Key messages

bull Wersquore extremely grateful to partner with the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] to host a Talk

Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community

bull Talk Today provides mental health support and raises suicide awareness among the [local

team] organization and throughout [the league]

bull Members of the [local team] play leadership roles within the community and players

particularly are seen as excellent role models who positively influence young fans and their

families

bull By hosting this event the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] are helping eliminate the stigma

and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within

the community about mental health

Key messages ndash youth mental health

bull One in five youth struggles with mental health

bull In Canada suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the

ages of 10 and 24

bull In the US suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of

15 and 24

4

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 3: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

3CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Mental health and suicide prevention awareness games are core components of Talk Today

These games create opportunities to extend the culture of mental health and suicide prevention

from the dressing room to the community Awareness games help destigmatize mental health

issues and give the local Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) the opportunity to share

information about programs and services that benefit the broader community

Each league should try to cluster its member clubsrsquo game-day events within a short defined

time period (eg a week two weeks a month) Clustering the games allows the league and

CMHA to gain concentrated exposure through social and traditional media

CMHA has developed this guide to help you host successful game-day events The guide

is divided into two sections 1) game-day elements and 2) communications elements that

support the game days

Introduction

4 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Game-day elements

BrandingCMHA has created the following Talk Today logos The logos (which are links to customizable

templates) provide flexibility for provincial or local use

Local CMHA branch and team logos can be inserted into these designs These logos can help

recognize a branch relationship with a sports league or local club These logos should be used

for

bull Talk Today program materials that are local or provincial in scope

bull Jointly-branded materialsevents created by a CMHA branch and local club

bull Jointly-branded materials created by a CMHA provincial division and provincial (or

broader) league

1

1

2

Presented by

Presented by

5CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Logo colour palette

PANTONE PMS 326

C 87 M 0 Y 38 K 0

R 0 G 177 B 176

HEX Value 00b1b0

PANTONE PMS 382

C 35 M 0 Y 100 K 0

R 178 G 210 B 53

HEX Value b2d235

R 77 G 77 B 77

HEX Value 4d4d4d

70 Black

C 0 M 0 Y 0 K 70

Print Web

6 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch kioskstablesThe local CMHA branch will set up a kiosktable on game day and distribute materials about

Talk Today and other programs to fans in attendance

The branch should work with the club to determine set-up time location access etc and

note any restrictions

In some instances local branches have distributed swag (eg toques or stress pucks) to fans

Should a branch wish to do a giveaway clearance must be received by the team or league

2

7CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Athlete videosShould teams have capability itrsquos recommended players read the provided scripts on

camera in advance of the games These video public service announcements should each be

approximately 15 seconds long

The videos can then be played on scoreboard screens during the games on team and CMHA

branch websites and social media accounts

Click the images below for samples of athlete video

3

CMHA has developed the following scripts for video announcements

a ldquoHockey can be tough Talking shouldnrsquot be Our partnership with the Canadian Mental

Health Association reminds players to take mental health seriously You should toordquo

b ldquoWe all go through tough times We can ask for help from the Canadian Mental Health

Association You shouldnrsquot be afraid to ask for help eitherrdquo

c ldquoThrough the Talk Today program our team has support from the local branch of the

Canadian Mental Health Association The CMHA is there for you toordquo

If video production is possible itrsquos recommended that one of the Talk Today logos be added to

the end of the video

Keep the conversation going online

TalkToday

Presented by

Presented by

8 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Public addressvideo board announcementsClubs routinely read public address announcements

during stoppages in play The template scripts

provided can be altered to include local team names

and read during those stoppages These should be 15

seconds long

There are also corresponding video graphics to

accompany each announcement The video boards

can be altered to suit the needs of the team and

CMHA branch

a ldquoTodayrsquos (club name) game is dedicated to Talk

Today the leaguersquos mental health program The

Canadian Mental Health Association works with

the (club name) to foster positive mental health

The CMHA can help you too Visit the CMHA

kiosk located at (location) for more informationrdquo

bull Use the graphic shown when reading this

message Please incorporate your local CMHA

branch and teamleague logo

b ldquoThe Canadian Mental Health Association is

working with the (club name) and the rest of the

(league name) on the leaguersquos mental health

program You can do your part Use the hashtag

Talk Today and keep the conversation about

mental health going onlinerdquo

bull Use graphic shown when reading this

message

4

9CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today placardsTeams and CMHA branches can create signs or use plain white pieces of Bristol board for

this element

The slogans provided and ldquoTalkTodayrdquo can be printedwritten on the signsBristol board A

photo taken of a player holding the placard is an image that can be used in several ways

For example some clubs have posted the images on video boards during games while other

clubs and CMHA branches have used the images on social media before during and after

awareness games

5

a There is strength in speaking up

TalkToday

c I will help you get help

TalkToday

b Itrsquos OK to ask for help

TalkToday

d You are not alone

TalkToday

10 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Pre-game ceremoniesWhere possible teams should invite CMHA branch staff to participate in a pre-game ceremony

In the case of hockey a ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity is most common

6

Fundraisingother elementsTeams and CMHA branches can add more elements to further enhance the awareness games

For example CMHA branches have benefited from 5050 draws or chuck-a-puck fundraising

efforts at the games CMHA staff should ask team staff if this is possible

Free tickets have also been issued to CMHA branch staff and clients as a way to display a

cohesive partnership

Another suggestion is to use green stick tape and skate laces to promote positive mental

health Green is the colour of mental health and CMHA

7

11CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today website bannerThe template banners (below) have been created to allow each team and CMHA branch to

customize a banner for their respective websites and social media accounts

The template banners can be used to link to a template news release posted on respective

team and CMHA branch web pages

Click on the template web banner for a high-resolution version

1

Communications elements

12 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Social media plan and sample postsThis plan will help CMHA branches and teams use social media effectively to promote Talk

Today game days and raise awareness about positive mental health and suicide prevention

2

Social media hashtags and channels

1 Hashtag The hashtag to be used to promote all Talk Today special events on all channels

is TalkToday

2 Channels (CMHA branch team and league wherever possible)

a Websites

b Twitter

c Facebook

d Instagram

13CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Activities

Timeline Channel Activities

Week before

event

Twitter bull Promote the event on Twitter (see suggested teaser tweets provided

below)

Facebook bull Promote the event on Facebook (see suggested teaser posts

provided below)

Once news

release is issued

Websites bull Post the news release and banner announcing the event

Twitter bull Tweet link to the news release (see suggested tweets provided)

Facebook bull Share news release on Facebook (see suggested posts provided)

Event day Websites bull Take pictures to post on the website following the event

Twitter bull Encourage fan participation during the game use the video board

and public address announcements and encourage fans to share

their support on Instagram Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag

TalkToday

bull Share live tweets from teambranch accounts at the event

bull CMHA branches and divisions will retweet event tweets

Facebook bull Announce that it is event day on Facebook and share live photos if

possible

Instagram bull Encourage players and attendees to post pictures from the event

using the hashtag TalkToday

Following the

event

Websites bull Create and post web story summarizing launch event with photos for

teamsbranches to post

Twitter bull Tweet media coverage of event

Facebook bull Share photos of event on Facebook

Instagram bull Share photos of event on Instagram

14 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Tracking and monitoring

All CMHA and league participants must use TalkToday for social media posts related to

the project This will enable CMHA to monitor and track the use of the hashtag across three

platforms (Instagram Facebook Twitter)

Sample posts for clubs and CMHA branches

Twitter

Tweets before news release is issued or before game-day events

bull Wersquore hard at work on something exciting with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA

branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Stay tuned

bull We canrsquot wait to share what wersquore working on with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert

CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Itrsquos going to be great Stay tuned

Tweets when news release is issued or when publicizing the game-day events

bull Help us promote positive mentalhealth Join us for the annual TalkToday event with ltinsert

teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link

to news release on branch websitegt

bull Our TalkToday initiative with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter

handlegt and TeachersLifeCAN continues with our annual special event Join us on ltinsert

dategt to talk mentalhealth

Tweets day of event

bull 1 in 5 youth struggle with mentalhealth issues Itrsquos time to TalkToday about mental health

Join us amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

bull Today wersquore encouraging conversation about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter

handlegt at the annual TalkToday event wtih TeachersLifeCAN Follow us for live updates

ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Tweets following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handle gt amp

TeachersLifeCAN for its support in talking about mental health ltinsert photo of the game

event if possiblegt TalkToday ltinsert link to story on teambranch websitegt

bull Thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos Twitter handleinsert CMHA branch Twitter handlegt

TeachersLifeCAN and fans for making our annual TalkToday event a success Yoursquore all

helping to make positive mentalhealth a part of our community ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

15CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Facebook

Facebook posts when news release is issued or when publicizing the event

bull Our Talk Today initiative with (the teamlocal CMHA branch) amp Teachers Life continues

Wersquore taking the mental health conversation into the community with our annual Talk Today

event - join us ltinsert link to news releasegt on branch websitegt

Facebook post day of event

bull One in five youth struggle with mental health issues Today wersquore encouraging conversation

about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos Facebook pageinsert CMHA branchrsquos Facebook

pagegt and Teachers Life at the annual TalkToday event Follow us for live updates at the

game ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Facebook post following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquosCMHArsquos Facebook pagegt fans and Teachers Life for making

our annual Talk Today event a success Yoursquore all a part of making positive mental health a

part of our community ltinsert photo of the gameevent if possiblegt ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

16 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

News release templateThis requires collaboration between the CMHA branch and the club Both sides need to work

together to finalize the release Most notably additional elements specific to each teamrsquos game

need to be added as do quotes and contact information from representatives from the branch

and the team

The media contact on the release should be comfortable confident and available to speak to

reporters about Talk Today and the awareness game To help with interviews a key message

document (for internal purposes only) is provided as part of this package The release should

be distributed to the teamrsquos media contacts a few days before the awareness game to spark

interest in the program and the game

3

Presented by

17CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

[Team] to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA [Branch] presented by

Teachers Life

[City Date] ndash The [club name] have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association [name of

local branch] for a mental health awareness game [date and time of game] presented by Teachers

Life when the [club name] take on the [opponent name] at [arena name]

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health

including

bull A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the

organizationrsquos community-based services

bull A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA [branch name]

bull Videos featuring [club name] players talking about the importance of mental health

bull Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA [name of local branch]

bull Mental health signs for fans to write on and show in unison at a designated stoppage in play

bull A CMHA fundraising component

This mental health awareness game is part of the [club name]rsquos ongoing partnership with CMHA

[local branch] and its Talk Today program presented by Teachers Life Originally launched by CMHA

Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014 Talk Today provides an important

opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada Through this program

over 1100 OHL players and over 400 coaches billets and staff have received mental health and

suicide prevention training across the league

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and

suicide prevention Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach who provides support

and mental health resources to individuals in need Additionally CMHA experts work with players

from the [club name] to deliver a basic in-class presentation about mental wellness to elementary

school students

ldquo[Quote from local CMHA branch using key messages provided]rdquo said [name] executive director

CEOmental health coach of CMHA [local branch]

18 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

ldquo[Quote from local team contact]rdquo said [name] [position] of the [local club]

Tickets for the game are still available starting from $[price] For ticket information contact [info

from local club]

Read more about Talk Today [link to web story]

About Teachers Life

Teachers Life is a not-for-profit federally regulated life-insurance company and North Americarsquos

largest educator-owned fraternal insurer Founded in 1939 Teachers Life offers a full suite of

personal insurance products to address the unique needs of the whole education community

including educators administrators support staff and their families Teachers Life is the first

insurance provider in Canada to underwrite life insurance products online in as little as 15 minutes

As a not-for-profit fraternal insurer community commitment is a core value for Teachers Life For

more information please visit wwwteacherslifecom

About Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario is a not-for-profit charitable organization

funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care We work to improve the lives of

all Ontarians through leadership collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-

based mental health and addictions services Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the

mental health of all people We are a trusted advisor to government contributing to health systems

development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health

Our 30 local CMHA branches together with community-based mental health and addictions service

providers across the province serve approximately 500000 Ontarians each year

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the worldrsquos

largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American

states In addition to the OHL the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and

the Western Hockey League Last season more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the

regular season playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup The CHL supplies more players to

the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league For more information visit www

ontariohockeyleaguecom

-30-

Media contacts

[name]

[title]

[CMHA local branch]

[phone number]

[email address]

[name]

[title]

[local club]

[phone number]

[email address]

19CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch key messagesThese key messages are designed for teams and CMHA branch representatives to help with

discussing Talk Today with the publicmedia By using these all parties are contributing to

consistent messaging about the program These key messages are not to be distributed publicly

Issue

CMHA branches and teams are collaborating to hold game-day events across the country

for Talk Today a project that aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise

awareness about mental health and suicide prevention

Key messages

bull Wersquore extremely grateful to partner with the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] to host a Talk

Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community

bull Talk Today provides mental health support and raises suicide awareness among the [local

team] organization and throughout [the league]

bull Members of the [local team] play leadership roles within the community and players

particularly are seen as excellent role models who positively influence young fans and their

families

bull By hosting this event the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] are helping eliminate the stigma

and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within

the community about mental health

Key messages ndash youth mental health

bull One in five youth struggles with mental health

bull In Canada suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the

ages of 10 and 24

bull In the US suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of

15 and 24

4

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 4: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

4 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Game-day elements

BrandingCMHA has created the following Talk Today logos The logos (which are links to customizable

templates) provide flexibility for provincial or local use

Local CMHA branch and team logos can be inserted into these designs These logos can help

recognize a branch relationship with a sports league or local club These logos should be used

for

bull Talk Today program materials that are local or provincial in scope

bull Jointly-branded materialsevents created by a CMHA branch and local club

bull Jointly-branded materials created by a CMHA provincial division and provincial (or

broader) league

1

1

2

Presented by

Presented by

5CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Logo colour palette

PANTONE PMS 326

C 87 M 0 Y 38 K 0

R 0 G 177 B 176

HEX Value 00b1b0

PANTONE PMS 382

C 35 M 0 Y 100 K 0

R 178 G 210 B 53

HEX Value b2d235

R 77 G 77 B 77

HEX Value 4d4d4d

70 Black

C 0 M 0 Y 0 K 70

Print Web

6 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch kioskstablesThe local CMHA branch will set up a kiosktable on game day and distribute materials about

Talk Today and other programs to fans in attendance

The branch should work with the club to determine set-up time location access etc and

note any restrictions

In some instances local branches have distributed swag (eg toques or stress pucks) to fans

Should a branch wish to do a giveaway clearance must be received by the team or league

2

7CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Athlete videosShould teams have capability itrsquos recommended players read the provided scripts on

camera in advance of the games These video public service announcements should each be

approximately 15 seconds long

The videos can then be played on scoreboard screens during the games on team and CMHA

branch websites and social media accounts

Click the images below for samples of athlete video

3

CMHA has developed the following scripts for video announcements

a ldquoHockey can be tough Talking shouldnrsquot be Our partnership with the Canadian Mental

Health Association reminds players to take mental health seriously You should toordquo

b ldquoWe all go through tough times We can ask for help from the Canadian Mental Health

Association You shouldnrsquot be afraid to ask for help eitherrdquo

c ldquoThrough the Talk Today program our team has support from the local branch of the

Canadian Mental Health Association The CMHA is there for you toordquo

If video production is possible itrsquos recommended that one of the Talk Today logos be added to

the end of the video

Keep the conversation going online

TalkToday

Presented by

Presented by

8 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Public addressvideo board announcementsClubs routinely read public address announcements

during stoppages in play The template scripts

provided can be altered to include local team names

and read during those stoppages These should be 15

seconds long

There are also corresponding video graphics to

accompany each announcement The video boards

can be altered to suit the needs of the team and

CMHA branch

a ldquoTodayrsquos (club name) game is dedicated to Talk

Today the leaguersquos mental health program The

Canadian Mental Health Association works with

the (club name) to foster positive mental health

The CMHA can help you too Visit the CMHA

kiosk located at (location) for more informationrdquo

bull Use the graphic shown when reading this

message Please incorporate your local CMHA

branch and teamleague logo

b ldquoThe Canadian Mental Health Association is

working with the (club name) and the rest of the

(league name) on the leaguersquos mental health

program You can do your part Use the hashtag

Talk Today and keep the conversation about

mental health going onlinerdquo

bull Use graphic shown when reading this

message

4

9CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today placardsTeams and CMHA branches can create signs or use plain white pieces of Bristol board for

this element

The slogans provided and ldquoTalkTodayrdquo can be printedwritten on the signsBristol board A

photo taken of a player holding the placard is an image that can be used in several ways

For example some clubs have posted the images on video boards during games while other

clubs and CMHA branches have used the images on social media before during and after

awareness games

5

a There is strength in speaking up

TalkToday

c I will help you get help

TalkToday

b Itrsquos OK to ask for help

TalkToday

d You are not alone

TalkToday

10 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Pre-game ceremoniesWhere possible teams should invite CMHA branch staff to participate in a pre-game ceremony

In the case of hockey a ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity is most common

6

Fundraisingother elementsTeams and CMHA branches can add more elements to further enhance the awareness games

For example CMHA branches have benefited from 5050 draws or chuck-a-puck fundraising

efforts at the games CMHA staff should ask team staff if this is possible

Free tickets have also been issued to CMHA branch staff and clients as a way to display a

cohesive partnership

Another suggestion is to use green stick tape and skate laces to promote positive mental

health Green is the colour of mental health and CMHA

7

11CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today website bannerThe template banners (below) have been created to allow each team and CMHA branch to

customize a banner for their respective websites and social media accounts

The template banners can be used to link to a template news release posted on respective

team and CMHA branch web pages

Click on the template web banner for a high-resolution version

1

Communications elements

12 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Social media plan and sample postsThis plan will help CMHA branches and teams use social media effectively to promote Talk

Today game days and raise awareness about positive mental health and suicide prevention

2

Social media hashtags and channels

1 Hashtag The hashtag to be used to promote all Talk Today special events on all channels

is TalkToday

2 Channels (CMHA branch team and league wherever possible)

a Websites

b Twitter

c Facebook

d Instagram

13CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Activities

Timeline Channel Activities

Week before

event

Twitter bull Promote the event on Twitter (see suggested teaser tweets provided

below)

Facebook bull Promote the event on Facebook (see suggested teaser posts

provided below)

Once news

release is issued

Websites bull Post the news release and banner announcing the event

Twitter bull Tweet link to the news release (see suggested tweets provided)

Facebook bull Share news release on Facebook (see suggested posts provided)

Event day Websites bull Take pictures to post on the website following the event

Twitter bull Encourage fan participation during the game use the video board

and public address announcements and encourage fans to share

their support on Instagram Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag

TalkToday

bull Share live tweets from teambranch accounts at the event

bull CMHA branches and divisions will retweet event tweets

Facebook bull Announce that it is event day on Facebook and share live photos if

possible

Instagram bull Encourage players and attendees to post pictures from the event

using the hashtag TalkToday

Following the

event

Websites bull Create and post web story summarizing launch event with photos for

teamsbranches to post

Twitter bull Tweet media coverage of event

Facebook bull Share photos of event on Facebook

Instagram bull Share photos of event on Instagram

14 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Tracking and monitoring

All CMHA and league participants must use TalkToday for social media posts related to

the project This will enable CMHA to monitor and track the use of the hashtag across three

platforms (Instagram Facebook Twitter)

Sample posts for clubs and CMHA branches

Twitter

Tweets before news release is issued or before game-day events

bull Wersquore hard at work on something exciting with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA

branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Stay tuned

bull We canrsquot wait to share what wersquore working on with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert

CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Itrsquos going to be great Stay tuned

Tweets when news release is issued or when publicizing the game-day events

bull Help us promote positive mentalhealth Join us for the annual TalkToday event with ltinsert

teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link

to news release on branch websitegt

bull Our TalkToday initiative with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter

handlegt and TeachersLifeCAN continues with our annual special event Join us on ltinsert

dategt to talk mentalhealth

Tweets day of event

bull 1 in 5 youth struggle with mentalhealth issues Itrsquos time to TalkToday about mental health

Join us amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

bull Today wersquore encouraging conversation about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter

handlegt at the annual TalkToday event wtih TeachersLifeCAN Follow us for live updates

ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Tweets following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handle gt amp

TeachersLifeCAN for its support in talking about mental health ltinsert photo of the game

event if possiblegt TalkToday ltinsert link to story on teambranch websitegt

bull Thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos Twitter handleinsert CMHA branch Twitter handlegt

TeachersLifeCAN and fans for making our annual TalkToday event a success Yoursquore all

helping to make positive mentalhealth a part of our community ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

15CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Facebook

Facebook posts when news release is issued or when publicizing the event

bull Our Talk Today initiative with (the teamlocal CMHA branch) amp Teachers Life continues

Wersquore taking the mental health conversation into the community with our annual Talk Today

event - join us ltinsert link to news releasegt on branch websitegt

Facebook post day of event

bull One in five youth struggle with mental health issues Today wersquore encouraging conversation

about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos Facebook pageinsert CMHA branchrsquos Facebook

pagegt and Teachers Life at the annual TalkToday event Follow us for live updates at the

game ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Facebook post following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquosCMHArsquos Facebook pagegt fans and Teachers Life for making

our annual Talk Today event a success Yoursquore all a part of making positive mental health a

part of our community ltinsert photo of the gameevent if possiblegt ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

16 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

News release templateThis requires collaboration between the CMHA branch and the club Both sides need to work

together to finalize the release Most notably additional elements specific to each teamrsquos game

need to be added as do quotes and contact information from representatives from the branch

and the team

The media contact on the release should be comfortable confident and available to speak to

reporters about Talk Today and the awareness game To help with interviews a key message

document (for internal purposes only) is provided as part of this package The release should

be distributed to the teamrsquos media contacts a few days before the awareness game to spark

interest in the program and the game

3

Presented by

17CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

[Team] to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA [Branch] presented by

Teachers Life

[City Date] ndash The [club name] have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association [name of

local branch] for a mental health awareness game [date and time of game] presented by Teachers

Life when the [club name] take on the [opponent name] at [arena name]

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health

including

bull A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the

organizationrsquos community-based services

bull A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA [branch name]

bull Videos featuring [club name] players talking about the importance of mental health

bull Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA [name of local branch]

bull Mental health signs for fans to write on and show in unison at a designated stoppage in play

bull A CMHA fundraising component

This mental health awareness game is part of the [club name]rsquos ongoing partnership with CMHA

[local branch] and its Talk Today program presented by Teachers Life Originally launched by CMHA

Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014 Talk Today provides an important

opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada Through this program

over 1100 OHL players and over 400 coaches billets and staff have received mental health and

suicide prevention training across the league

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and

suicide prevention Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach who provides support

and mental health resources to individuals in need Additionally CMHA experts work with players

from the [club name] to deliver a basic in-class presentation about mental wellness to elementary

school students

ldquo[Quote from local CMHA branch using key messages provided]rdquo said [name] executive director

CEOmental health coach of CMHA [local branch]

18 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

ldquo[Quote from local team contact]rdquo said [name] [position] of the [local club]

Tickets for the game are still available starting from $[price] For ticket information contact [info

from local club]

Read more about Talk Today [link to web story]

About Teachers Life

Teachers Life is a not-for-profit federally regulated life-insurance company and North Americarsquos

largest educator-owned fraternal insurer Founded in 1939 Teachers Life offers a full suite of

personal insurance products to address the unique needs of the whole education community

including educators administrators support staff and their families Teachers Life is the first

insurance provider in Canada to underwrite life insurance products online in as little as 15 minutes

As a not-for-profit fraternal insurer community commitment is a core value for Teachers Life For

more information please visit wwwteacherslifecom

About Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario is a not-for-profit charitable organization

funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care We work to improve the lives of

all Ontarians through leadership collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-

based mental health and addictions services Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the

mental health of all people We are a trusted advisor to government contributing to health systems

development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health

Our 30 local CMHA branches together with community-based mental health and addictions service

providers across the province serve approximately 500000 Ontarians each year

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the worldrsquos

largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American

states In addition to the OHL the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and

the Western Hockey League Last season more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the

regular season playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup The CHL supplies more players to

the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league For more information visit www

ontariohockeyleaguecom

-30-

Media contacts

[name]

[title]

[CMHA local branch]

[phone number]

[email address]

[name]

[title]

[local club]

[phone number]

[email address]

19CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch key messagesThese key messages are designed for teams and CMHA branch representatives to help with

discussing Talk Today with the publicmedia By using these all parties are contributing to

consistent messaging about the program These key messages are not to be distributed publicly

Issue

CMHA branches and teams are collaborating to hold game-day events across the country

for Talk Today a project that aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise

awareness about mental health and suicide prevention

Key messages

bull Wersquore extremely grateful to partner with the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] to host a Talk

Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community

bull Talk Today provides mental health support and raises suicide awareness among the [local

team] organization and throughout [the league]

bull Members of the [local team] play leadership roles within the community and players

particularly are seen as excellent role models who positively influence young fans and their

families

bull By hosting this event the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] are helping eliminate the stigma

and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within

the community about mental health

Key messages ndash youth mental health

bull One in five youth struggles with mental health

bull In Canada suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the

ages of 10 and 24

bull In the US suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of

15 and 24

4

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 5: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

5CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Logo colour palette

PANTONE PMS 326

C 87 M 0 Y 38 K 0

R 0 G 177 B 176

HEX Value 00b1b0

PANTONE PMS 382

C 35 M 0 Y 100 K 0

R 178 G 210 B 53

HEX Value b2d235

R 77 G 77 B 77

HEX Value 4d4d4d

70 Black

C 0 M 0 Y 0 K 70

Print Web

6 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch kioskstablesThe local CMHA branch will set up a kiosktable on game day and distribute materials about

Talk Today and other programs to fans in attendance

The branch should work with the club to determine set-up time location access etc and

note any restrictions

In some instances local branches have distributed swag (eg toques or stress pucks) to fans

Should a branch wish to do a giveaway clearance must be received by the team or league

2

7CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Athlete videosShould teams have capability itrsquos recommended players read the provided scripts on

camera in advance of the games These video public service announcements should each be

approximately 15 seconds long

The videos can then be played on scoreboard screens during the games on team and CMHA

branch websites and social media accounts

Click the images below for samples of athlete video

3

CMHA has developed the following scripts for video announcements

a ldquoHockey can be tough Talking shouldnrsquot be Our partnership with the Canadian Mental

Health Association reminds players to take mental health seriously You should toordquo

b ldquoWe all go through tough times We can ask for help from the Canadian Mental Health

Association You shouldnrsquot be afraid to ask for help eitherrdquo

c ldquoThrough the Talk Today program our team has support from the local branch of the

Canadian Mental Health Association The CMHA is there for you toordquo

If video production is possible itrsquos recommended that one of the Talk Today logos be added to

the end of the video

Keep the conversation going online

TalkToday

Presented by

Presented by

8 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Public addressvideo board announcementsClubs routinely read public address announcements

during stoppages in play The template scripts

provided can be altered to include local team names

and read during those stoppages These should be 15

seconds long

There are also corresponding video graphics to

accompany each announcement The video boards

can be altered to suit the needs of the team and

CMHA branch

a ldquoTodayrsquos (club name) game is dedicated to Talk

Today the leaguersquos mental health program The

Canadian Mental Health Association works with

the (club name) to foster positive mental health

The CMHA can help you too Visit the CMHA

kiosk located at (location) for more informationrdquo

bull Use the graphic shown when reading this

message Please incorporate your local CMHA

branch and teamleague logo

b ldquoThe Canadian Mental Health Association is

working with the (club name) and the rest of the

(league name) on the leaguersquos mental health

program You can do your part Use the hashtag

Talk Today and keep the conversation about

mental health going onlinerdquo

bull Use graphic shown when reading this

message

4

9CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today placardsTeams and CMHA branches can create signs or use plain white pieces of Bristol board for

this element

The slogans provided and ldquoTalkTodayrdquo can be printedwritten on the signsBristol board A

photo taken of a player holding the placard is an image that can be used in several ways

For example some clubs have posted the images on video boards during games while other

clubs and CMHA branches have used the images on social media before during and after

awareness games

5

a There is strength in speaking up

TalkToday

c I will help you get help

TalkToday

b Itrsquos OK to ask for help

TalkToday

d You are not alone

TalkToday

10 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Pre-game ceremoniesWhere possible teams should invite CMHA branch staff to participate in a pre-game ceremony

In the case of hockey a ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity is most common

6

Fundraisingother elementsTeams and CMHA branches can add more elements to further enhance the awareness games

For example CMHA branches have benefited from 5050 draws or chuck-a-puck fundraising

efforts at the games CMHA staff should ask team staff if this is possible

Free tickets have also been issued to CMHA branch staff and clients as a way to display a

cohesive partnership

Another suggestion is to use green stick tape and skate laces to promote positive mental

health Green is the colour of mental health and CMHA

7

11CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today website bannerThe template banners (below) have been created to allow each team and CMHA branch to

customize a banner for their respective websites and social media accounts

The template banners can be used to link to a template news release posted on respective

team and CMHA branch web pages

Click on the template web banner for a high-resolution version

1

Communications elements

12 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Social media plan and sample postsThis plan will help CMHA branches and teams use social media effectively to promote Talk

Today game days and raise awareness about positive mental health and suicide prevention

2

Social media hashtags and channels

1 Hashtag The hashtag to be used to promote all Talk Today special events on all channels

is TalkToday

2 Channels (CMHA branch team and league wherever possible)

a Websites

b Twitter

c Facebook

d Instagram

13CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Activities

Timeline Channel Activities

Week before

event

Twitter bull Promote the event on Twitter (see suggested teaser tweets provided

below)

Facebook bull Promote the event on Facebook (see suggested teaser posts

provided below)

Once news

release is issued

Websites bull Post the news release and banner announcing the event

Twitter bull Tweet link to the news release (see suggested tweets provided)

Facebook bull Share news release on Facebook (see suggested posts provided)

Event day Websites bull Take pictures to post on the website following the event

Twitter bull Encourage fan participation during the game use the video board

and public address announcements and encourage fans to share

their support on Instagram Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag

TalkToday

bull Share live tweets from teambranch accounts at the event

bull CMHA branches and divisions will retweet event tweets

Facebook bull Announce that it is event day on Facebook and share live photos if

possible

Instagram bull Encourage players and attendees to post pictures from the event

using the hashtag TalkToday

Following the

event

Websites bull Create and post web story summarizing launch event with photos for

teamsbranches to post

Twitter bull Tweet media coverage of event

Facebook bull Share photos of event on Facebook

Instagram bull Share photos of event on Instagram

14 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Tracking and monitoring

All CMHA and league participants must use TalkToday for social media posts related to

the project This will enable CMHA to monitor and track the use of the hashtag across three

platforms (Instagram Facebook Twitter)

Sample posts for clubs and CMHA branches

Twitter

Tweets before news release is issued or before game-day events

bull Wersquore hard at work on something exciting with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA

branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Stay tuned

bull We canrsquot wait to share what wersquore working on with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert

CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Itrsquos going to be great Stay tuned

Tweets when news release is issued or when publicizing the game-day events

bull Help us promote positive mentalhealth Join us for the annual TalkToday event with ltinsert

teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link

to news release on branch websitegt

bull Our TalkToday initiative with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter

handlegt and TeachersLifeCAN continues with our annual special event Join us on ltinsert

dategt to talk mentalhealth

Tweets day of event

bull 1 in 5 youth struggle with mentalhealth issues Itrsquos time to TalkToday about mental health

Join us amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

bull Today wersquore encouraging conversation about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter

handlegt at the annual TalkToday event wtih TeachersLifeCAN Follow us for live updates

ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Tweets following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handle gt amp

TeachersLifeCAN for its support in talking about mental health ltinsert photo of the game

event if possiblegt TalkToday ltinsert link to story on teambranch websitegt

bull Thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos Twitter handleinsert CMHA branch Twitter handlegt

TeachersLifeCAN and fans for making our annual TalkToday event a success Yoursquore all

helping to make positive mentalhealth a part of our community ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

15CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Facebook

Facebook posts when news release is issued or when publicizing the event

bull Our Talk Today initiative with (the teamlocal CMHA branch) amp Teachers Life continues

Wersquore taking the mental health conversation into the community with our annual Talk Today

event - join us ltinsert link to news releasegt on branch websitegt

Facebook post day of event

bull One in five youth struggle with mental health issues Today wersquore encouraging conversation

about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos Facebook pageinsert CMHA branchrsquos Facebook

pagegt and Teachers Life at the annual TalkToday event Follow us for live updates at the

game ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Facebook post following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquosCMHArsquos Facebook pagegt fans and Teachers Life for making

our annual Talk Today event a success Yoursquore all a part of making positive mental health a

part of our community ltinsert photo of the gameevent if possiblegt ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

16 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

News release templateThis requires collaboration between the CMHA branch and the club Both sides need to work

together to finalize the release Most notably additional elements specific to each teamrsquos game

need to be added as do quotes and contact information from representatives from the branch

and the team

The media contact on the release should be comfortable confident and available to speak to

reporters about Talk Today and the awareness game To help with interviews a key message

document (for internal purposes only) is provided as part of this package The release should

be distributed to the teamrsquos media contacts a few days before the awareness game to spark

interest in the program and the game

3

Presented by

17CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

[Team] to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA [Branch] presented by

Teachers Life

[City Date] ndash The [club name] have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association [name of

local branch] for a mental health awareness game [date and time of game] presented by Teachers

Life when the [club name] take on the [opponent name] at [arena name]

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health

including

bull A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the

organizationrsquos community-based services

bull A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA [branch name]

bull Videos featuring [club name] players talking about the importance of mental health

bull Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA [name of local branch]

bull Mental health signs for fans to write on and show in unison at a designated stoppage in play

bull A CMHA fundraising component

This mental health awareness game is part of the [club name]rsquos ongoing partnership with CMHA

[local branch] and its Talk Today program presented by Teachers Life Originally launched by CMHA

Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014 Talk Today provides an important

opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada Through this program

over 1100 OHL players and over 400 coaches billets and staff have received mental health and

suicide prevention training across the league

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and

suicide prevention Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach who provides support

and mental health resources to individuals in need Additionally CMHA experts work with players

from the [club name] to deliver a basic in-class presentation about mental wellness to elementary

school students

ldquo[Quote from local CMHA branch using key messages provided]rdquo said [name] executive director

CEOmental health coach of CMHA [local branch]

18 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

ldquo[Quote from local team contact]rdquo said [name] [position] of the [local club]

Tickets for the game are still available starting from $[price] For ticket information contact [info

from local club]

Read more about Talk Today [link to web story]

About Teachers Life

Teachers Life is a not-for-profit federally regulated life-insurance company and North Americarsquos

largest educator-owned fraternal insurer Founded in 1939 Teachers Life offers a full suite of

personal insurance products to address the unique needs of the whole education community

including educators administrators support staff and their families Teachers Life is the first

insurance provider in Canada to underwrite life insurance products online in as little as 15 minutes

As a not-for-profit fraternal insurer community commitment is a core value for Teachers Life For

more information please visit wwwteacherslifecom

About Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario is a not-for-profit charitable organization

funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care We work to improve the lives of

all Ontarians through leadership collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-

based mental health and addictions services Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the

mental health of all people We are a trusted advisor to government contributing to health systems

development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health

Our 30 local CMHA branches together with community-based mental health and addictions service

providers across the province serve approximately 500000 Ontarians each year

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the worldrsquos

largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American

states In addition to the OHL the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and

the Western Hockey League Last season more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the

regular season playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup The CHL supplies more players to

the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league For more information visit www

ontariohockeyleaguecom

-30-

Media contacts

[name]

[title]

[CMHA local branch]

[phone number]

[email address]

[name]

[title]

[local club]

[phone number]

[email address]

19CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch key messagesThese key messages are designed for teams and CMHA branch representatives to help with

discussing Talk Today with the publicmedia By using these all parties are contributing to

consistent messaging about the program These key messages are not to be distributed publicly

Issue

CMHA branches and teams are collaborating to hold game-day events across the country

for Talk Today a project that aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise

awareness about mental health and suicide prevention

Key messages

bull Wersquore extremely grateful to partner with the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] to host a Talk

Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community

bull Talk Today provides mental health support and raises suicide awareness among the [local

team] organization and throughout [the league]

bull Members of the [local team] play leadership roles within the community and players

particularly are seen as excellent role models who positively influence young fans and their

families

bull By hosting this event the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] are helping eliminate the stigma

and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within

the community about mental health

Key messages ndash youth mental health

bull One in five youth struggles with mental health

bull In Canada suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the

ages of 10 and 24

bull In the US suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of

15 and 24

4

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 6: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

6 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch kioskstablesThe local CMHA branch will set up a kiosktable on game day and distribute materials about

Talk Today and other programs to fans in attendance

The branch should work with the club to determine set-up time location access etc and

note any restrictions

In some instances local branches have distributed swag (eg toques or stress pucks) to fans

Should a branch wish to do a giveaway clearance must be received by the team or league

2

7CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Athlete videosShould teams have capability itrsquos recommended players read the provided scripts on

camera in advance of the games These video public service announcements should each be

approximately 15 seconds long

The videos can then be played on scoreboard screens during the games on team and CMHA

branch websites and social media accounts

Click the images below for samples of athlete video

3

CMHA has developed the following scripts for video announcements

a ldquoHockey can be tough Talking shouldnrsquot be Our partnership with the Canadian Mental

Health Association reminds players to take mental health seriously You should toordquo

b ldquoWe all go through tough times We can ask for help from the Canadian Mental Health

Association You shouldnrsquot be afraid to ask for help eitherrdquo

c ldquoThrough the Talk Today program our team has support from the local branch of the

Canadian Mental Health Association The CMHA is there for you toordquo

If video production is possible itrsquos recommended that one of the Talk Today logos be added to

the end of the video

Keep the conversation going online

TalkToday

Presented by

Presented by

8 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Public addressvideo board announcementsClubs routinely read public address announcements

during stoppages in play The template scripts

provided can be altered to include local team names

and read during those stoppages These should be 15

seconds long

There are also corresponding video graphics to

accompany each announcement The video boards

can be altered to suit the needs of the team and

CMHA branch

a ldquoTodayrsquos (club name) game is dedicated to Talk

Today the leaguersquos mental health program The

Canadian Mental Health Association works with

the (club name) to foster positive mental health

The CMHA can help you too Visit the CMHA

kiosk located at (location) for more informationrdquo

bull Use the graphic shown when reading this

message Please incorporate your local CMHA

branch and teamleague logo

b ldquoThe Canadian Mental Health Association is

working with the (club name) and the rest of the

(league name) on the leaguersquos mental health

program You can do your part Use the hashtag

Talk Today and keep the conversation about

mental health going onlinerdquo

bull Use graphic shown when reading this

message

4

9CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today placardsTeams and CMHA branches can create signs or use plain white pieces of Bristol board for

this element

The slogans provided and ldquoTalkTodayrdquo can be printedwritten on the signsBristol board A

photo taken of a player holding the placard is an image that can be used in several ways

For example some clubs have posted the images on video boards during games while other

clubs and CMHA branches have used the images on social media before during and after

awareness games

5

a There is strength in speaking up

TalkToday

c I will help you get help

TalkToday

b Itrsquos OK to ask for help

TalkToday

d You are not alone

TalkToday

10 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Pre-game ceremoniesWhere possible teams should invite CMHA branch staff to participate in a pre-game ceremony

In the case of hockey a ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity is most common

6

Fundraisingother elementsTeams and CMHA branches can add more elements to further enhance the awareness games

For example CMHA branches have benefited from 5050 draws or chuck-a-puck fundraising

efforts at the games CMHA staff should ask team staff if this is possible

Free tickets have also been issued to CMHA branch staff and clients as a way to display a

cohesive partnership

Another suggestion is to use green stick tape and skate laces to promote positive mental

health Green is the colour of mental health and CMHA

7

11CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today website bannerThe template banners (below) have been created to allow each team and CMHA branch to

customize a banner for their respective websites and social media accounts

The template banners can be used to link to a template news release posted on respective

team and CMHA branch web pages

Click on the template web banner for a high-resolution version

1

Communications elements

12 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Social media plan and sample postsThis plan will help CMHA branches and teams use social media effectively to promote Talk

Today game days and raise awareness about positive mental health and suicide prevention

2

Social media hashtags and channels

1 Hashtag The hashtag to be used to promote all Talk Today special events on all channels

is TalkToday

2 Channels (CMHA branch team and league wherever possible)

a Websites

b Twitter

c Facebook

d Instagram

13CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Activities

Timeline Channel Activities

Week before

event

Twitter bull Promote the event on Twitter (see suggested teaser tweets provided

below)

Facebook bull Promote the event on Facebook (see suggested teaser posts

provided below)

Once news

release is issued

Websites bull Post the news release and banner announcing the event

Twitter bull Tweet link to the news release (see suggested tweets provided)

Facebook bull Share news release on Facebook (see suggested posts provided)

Event day Websites bull Take pictures to post on the website following the event

Twitter bull Encourage fan participation during the game use the video board

and public address announcements and encourage fans to share

their support on Instagram Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag

TalkToday

bull Share live tweets from teambranch accounts at the event

bull CMHA branches and divisions will retweet event tweets

Facebook bull Announce that it is event day on Facebook and share live photos if

possible

Instagram bull Encourage players and attendees to post pictures from the event

using the hashtag TalkToday

Following the

event

Websites bull Create and post web story summarizing launch event with photos for

teamsbranches to post

Twitter bull Tweet media coverage of event

Facebook bull Share photos of event on Facebook

Instagram bull Share photos of event on Instagram

14 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Tracking and monitoring

All CMHA and league participants must use TalkToday for social media posts related to

the project This will enable CMHA to monitor and track the use of the hashtag across three

platforms (Instagram Facebook Twitter)

Sample posts for clubs and CMHA branches

Twitter

Tweets before news release is issued or before game-day events

bull Wersquore hard at work on something exciting with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA

branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Stay tuned

bull We canrsquot wait to share what wersquore working on with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert

CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Itrsquos going to be great Stay tuned

Tweets when news release is issued or when publicizing the game-day events

bull Help us promote positive mentalhealth Join us for the annual TalkToday event with ltinsert

teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link

to news release on branch websitegt

bull Our TalkToday initiative with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter

handlegt and TeachersLifeCAN continues with our annual special event Join us on ltinsert

dategt to talk mentalhealth

Tweets day of event

bull 1 in 5 youth struggle with mentalhealth issues Itrsquos time to TalkToday about mental health

Join us amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

bull Today wersquore encouraging conversation about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter

handlegt at the annual TalkToday event wtih TeachersLifeCAN Follow us for live updates

ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Tweets following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handle gt amp

TeachersLifeCAN for its support in talking about mental health ltinsert photo of the game

event if possiblegt TalkToday ltinsert link to story on teambranch websitegt

bull Thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos Twitter handleinsert CMHA branch Twitter handlegt

TeachersLifeCAN and fans for making our annual TalkToday event a success Yoursquore all

helping to make positive mentalhealth a part of our community ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

15CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Facebook

Facebook posts when news release is issued or when publicizing the event

bull Our Talk Today initiative with (the teamlocal CMHA branch) amp Teachers Life continues

Wersquore taking the mental health conversation into the community with our annual Talk Today

event - join us ltinsert link to news releasegt on branch websitegt

Facebook post day of event

bull One in five youth struggle with mental health issues Today wersquore encouraging conversation

about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos Facebook pageinsert CMHA branchrsquos Facebook

pagegt and Teachers Life at the annual TalkToday event Follow us for live updates at the

game ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Facebook post following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquosCMHArsquos Facebook pagegt fans and Teachers Life for making

our annual Talk Today event a success Yoursquore all a part of making positive mental health a

part of our community ltinsert photo of the gameevent if possiblegt ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

16 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

News release templateThis requires collaboration between the CMHA branch and the club Both sides need to work

together to finalize the release Most notably additional elements specific to each teamrsquos game

need to be added as do quotes and contact information from representatives from the branch

and the team

The media contact on the release should be comfortable confident and available to speak to

reporters about Talk Today and the awareness game To help with interviews a key message

document (for internal purposes only) is provided as part of this package The release should

be distributed to the teamrsquos media contacts a few days before the awareness game to spark

interest in the program and the game

3

Presented by

17CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

[Team] to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA [Branch] presented by

Teachers Life

[City Date] ndash The [club name] have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association [name of

local branch] for a mental health awareness game [date and time of game] presented by Teachers

Life when the [club name] take on the [opponent name] at [arena name]

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health

including

bull A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the

organizationrsquos community-based services

bull A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA [branch name]

bull Videos featuring [club name] players talking about the importance of mental health

bull Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA [name of local branch]

bull Mental health signs for fans to write on and show in unison at a designated stoppage in play

bull A CMHA fundraising component

This mental health awareness game is part of the [club name]rsquos ongoing partnership with CMHA

[local branch] and its Talk Today program presented by Teachers Life Originally launched by CMHA

Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014 Talk Today provides an important

opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada Through this program

over 1100 OHL players and over 400 coaches billets and staff have received mental health and

suicide prevention training across the league

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and

suicide prevention Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach who provides support

and mental health resources to individuals in need Additionally CMHA experts work with players

from the [club name] to deliver a basic in-class presentation about mental wellness to elementary

school students

ldquo[Quote from local CMHA branch using key messages provided]rdquo said [name] executive director

CEOmental health coach of CMHA [local branch]

18 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

ldquo[Quote from local team contact]rdquo said [name] [position] of the [local club]

Tickets for the game are still available starting from $[price] For ticket information contact [info

from local club]

Read more about Talk Today [link to web story]

About Teachers Life

Teachers Life is a not-for-profit federally regulated life-insurance company and North Americarsquos

largest educator-owned fraternal insurer Founded in 1939 Teachers Life offers a full suite of

personal insurance products to address the unique needs of the whole education community

including educators administrators support staff and their families Teachers Life is the first

insurance provider in Canada to underwrite life insurance products online in as little as 15 minutes

As a not-for-profit fraternal insurer community commitment is a core value for Teachers Life For

more information please visit wwwteacherslifecom

About Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario is a not-for-profit charitable organization

funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care We work to improve the lives of

all Ontarians through leadership collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-

based mental health and addictions services Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the

mental health of all people We are a trusted advisor to government contributing to health systems

development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health

Our 30 local CMHA branches together with community-based mental health and addictions service

providers across the province serve approximately 500000 Ontarians each year

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the worldrsquos

largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American

states In addition to the OHL the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and

the Western Hockey League Last season more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the

regular season playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup The CHL supplies more players to

the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league For more information visit www

ontariohockeyleaguecom

-30-

Media contacts

[name]

[title]

[CMHA local branch]

[phone number]

[email address]

[name]

[title]

[local club]

[phone number]

[email address]

19CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch key messagesThese key messages are designed for teams and CMHA branch representatives to help with

discussing Talk Today with the publicmedia By using these all parties are contributing to

consistent messaging about the program These key messages are not to be distributed publicly

Issue

CMHA branches and teams are collaborating to hold game-day events across the country

for Talk Today a project that aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise

awareness about mental health and suicide prevention

Key messages

bull Wersquore extremely grateful to partner with the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] to host a Talk

Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community

bull Talk Today provides mental health support and raises suicide awareness among the [local

team] organization and throughout [the league]

bull Members of the [local team] play leadership roles within the community and players

particularly are seen as excellent role models who positively influence young fans and their

families

bull By hosting this event the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] are helping eliminate the stigma

and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within

the community about mental health

Key messages ndash youth mental health

bull One in five youth struggles with mental health

bull In Canada suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the

ages of 10 and 24

bull In the US suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of

15 and 24

4

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 7: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

7CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Athlete videosShould teams have capability itrsquos recommended players read the provided scripts on

camera in advance of the games These video public service announcements should each be

approximately 15 seconds long

The videos can then be played on scoreboard screens during the games on team and CMHA

branch websites and social media accounts

Click the images below for samples of athlete video

3

CMHA has developed the following scripts for video announcements

a ldquoHockey can be tough Talking shouldnrsquot be Our partnership with the Canadian Mental

Health Association reminds players to take mental health seriously You should toordquo

b ldquoWe all go through tough times We can ask for help from the Canadian Mental Health

Association You shouldnrsquot be afraid to ask for help eitherrdquo

c ldquoThrough the Talk Today program our team has support from the local branch of the

Canadian Mental Health Association The CMHA is there for you toordquo

If video production is possible itrsquos recommended that one of the Talk Today logos be added to

the end of the video

Keep the conversation going online

TalkToday

Presented by

Presented by

8 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Public addressvideo board announcementsClubs routinely read public address announcements

during stoppages in play The template scripts

provided can be altered to include local team names

and read during those stoppages These should be 15

seconds long

There are also corresponding video graphics to

accompany each announcement The video boards

can be altered to suit the needs of the team and

CMHA branch

a ldquoTodayrsquos (club name) game is dedicated to Talk

Today the leaguersquos mental health program The

Canadian Mental Health Association works with

the (club name) to foster positive mental health

The CMHA can help you too Visit the CMHA

kiosk located at (location) for more informationrdquo

bull Use the graphic shown when reading this

message Please incorporate your local CMHA

branch and teamleague logo

b ldquoThe Canadian Mental Health Association is

working with the (club name) and the rest of the

(league name) on the leaguersquos mental health

program You can do your part Use the hashtag

Talk Today and keep the conversation about

mental health going onlinerdquo

bull Use graphic shown when reading this

message

4

9CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today placardsTeams and CMHA branches can create signs or use plain white pieces of Bristol board for

this element

The slogans provided and ldquoTalkTodayrdquo can be printedwritten on the signsBristol board A

photo taken of a player holding the placard is an image that can be used in several ways

For example some clubs have posted the images on video boards during games while other

clubs and CMHA branches have used the images on social media before during and after

awareness games

5

a There is strength in speaking up

TalkToday

c I will help you get help

TalkToday

b Itrsquos OK to ask for help

TalkToday

d You are not alone

TalkToday

10 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Pre-game ceremoniesWhere possible teams should invite CMHA branch staff to participate in a pre-game ceremony

In the case of hockey a ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity is most common

6

Fundraisingother elementsTeams and CMHA branches can add more elements to further enhance the awareness games

For example CMHA branches have benefited from 5050 draws or chuck-a-puck fundraising

efforts at the games CMHA staff should ask team staff if this is possible

Free tickets have also been issued to CMHA branch staff and clients as a way to display a

cohesive partnership

Another suggestion is to use green stick tape and skate laces to promote positive mental

health Green is the colour of mental health and CMHA

7

11CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today website bannerThe template banners (below) have been created to allow each team and CMHA branch to

customize a banner for their respective websites and social media accounts

The template banners can be used to link to a template news release posted on respective

team and CMHA branch web pages

Click on the template web banner for a high-resolution version

1

Communications elements

12 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Social media plan and sample postsThis plan will help CMHA branches and teams use social media effectively to promote Talk

Today game days and raise awareness about positive mental health and suicide prevention

2

Social media hashtags and channels

1 Hashtag The hashtag to be used to promote all Talk Today special events on all channels

is TalkToday

2 Channels (CMHA branch team and league wherever possible)

a Websites

b Twitter

c Facebook

d Instagram

13CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Activities

Timeline Channel Activities

Week before

event

Twitter bull Promote the event on Twitter (see suggested teaser tweets provided

below)

Facebook bull Promote the event on Facebook (see suggested teaser posts

provided below)

Once news

release is issued

Websites bull Post the news release and banner announcing the event

Twitter bull Tweet link to the news release (see suggested tweets provided)

Facebook bull Share news release on Facebook (see suggested posts provided)

Event day Websites bull Take pictures to post on the website following the event

Twitter bull Encourage fan participation during the game use the video board

and public address announcements and encourage fans to share

their support on Instagram Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag

TalkToday

bull Share live tweets from teambranch accounts at the event

bull CMHA branches and divisions will retweet event tweets

Facebook bull Announce that it is event day on Facebook and share live photos if

possible

Instagram bull Encourage players and attendees to post pictures from the event

using the hashtag TalkToday

Following the

event

Websites bull Create and post web story summarizing launch event with photos for

teamsbranches to post

Twitter bull Tweet media coverage of event

Facebook bull Share photos of event on Facebook

Instagram bull Share photos of event on Instagram

14 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Tracking and monitoring

All CMHA and league participants must use TalkToday for social media posts related to

the project This will enable CMHA to monitor and track the use of the hashtag across three

platforms (Instagram Facebook Twitter)

Sample posts for clubs and CMHA branches

Twitter

Tweets before news release is issued or before game-day events

bull Wersquore hard at work on something exciting with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA

branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Stay tuned

bull We canrsquot wait to share what wersquore working on with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert

CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Itrsquos going to be great Stay tuned

Tweets when news release is issued or when publicizing the game-day events

bull Help us promote positive mentalhealth Join us for the annual TalkToday event with ltinsert

teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link

to news release on branch websitegt

bull Our TalkToday initiative with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter

handlegt and TeachersLifeCAN continues with our annual special event Join us on ltinsert

dategt to talk mentalhealth

Tweets day of event

bull 1 in 5 youth struggle with mentalhealth issues Itrsquos time to TalkToday about mental health

Join us amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

bull Today wersquore encouraging conversation about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter

handlegt at the annual TalkToday event wtih TeachersLifeCAN Follow us for live updates

ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Tweets following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handle gt amp

TeachersLifeCAN for its support in talking about mental health ltinsert photo of the game

event if possiblegt TalkToday ltinsert link to story on teambranch websitegt

bull Thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos Twitter handleinsert CMHA branch Twitter handlegt

TeachersLifeCAN and fans for making our annual TalkToday event a success Yoursquore all

helping to make positive mentalhealth a part of our community ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

15CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Facebook

Facebook posts when news release is issued or when publicizing the event

bull Our Talk Today initiative with (the teamlocal CMHA branch) amp Teachers Life continues

Wersquore taking the mental health conversation into the community with our annual Talk Today

event - join us ltinsert link to news releasegt on branch websitegt

Facebook post day of event

bull One in five youth struggle with mental health issues Today wersquore encouraging conversation

about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos Facebook pageinsert CMHA branchrsquos Facebook

pagegt and Teachers Life at the annual TalkToday event Follow us for live updates at the

game ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Facebook post following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquosCMHArsquos Facebook pagegt fans and Teachers Life for making

our annual Talk Today event a success Yoursquore all a part of making positive mental health a

part of our community ltinsert photo of the gameevent if possiblegt ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

16 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

News release templateThis requires collaboration between the CMHA branch and the club Both sides need to work

together to finalize the release Most notably additional elements specific to each teamrsquos game

need to be added as do quotes and contact information from representatives from the branch

and the team

The media contact on the release should be comfortable confident and available to speak to

reporters about Talk Today and the awareness game To help with interviews a key message

document (for internal purposes only) is provided as part of this package The release should

be distributed to the teamrsquos media contacts a few days before the awareness game to spark

interest in the program and the game

3

Presented by

17CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

[Team] to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA [Branch] presented by

Teachers Life

[City Date] ndash The [club name] have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association [name of

local branch] for a mental health awareness game [date and time of game] presented by Teachers

Life when the [club name] take on the [opponent name] at [arena name]

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health

including

bull A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the

organizationrsquos community-based services

bull A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA [branch name]

bull Videos featuring [club name] players talking about the importance of mental health

bull Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA [name of local branch]

bull Mental health signs for fans to write on and show in unison at a designated stoppage in play

bull A CMHA fundraising component

This mental health awareness game is part of the [club name]rsquos ongoing partnership with CMHA

[local branch] and its Talk Today program presented by Teachers Life Originally launched by CMHA

Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014 Talk Today provides an important

opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada Through this program

over 1100 OHL players and over 400 coaches billets and staff have received mental health and

suicide prevention training across the league

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and

suicide prevention Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach who provides support

and mental health resources to individuals in need Additionally CMHA experts work with players

from the [club name] to deliver a basic in-class presentation about mental wellness to elementary

school students

ldquo[Quote from local CMHA branch using key messages provided]rdquo said [name] executive director

CEOmental health coach of CMHA [local branch]

18 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

ldquo[Quote from local team contact]rdquo said [name] [position] of the [local club]

Tickets for the game are still available starting from $[price] For ticket information contact [info

from local club]

Read more about Talk Today [link to web story]

About Teachers Life

Teachers Life is a not-for-profit federally regulated life-insurance company and North Americarsquos

largest educator-owned fraternal insurer Founded in 1939 Teachers Life offers a full suite of

personal insurance products to address the unique needs of the whole education community

including educators administrators support staff and their families Teachers Life is the first

insurance provider in Canada to underwrite life insurance products online in as little as 15 minutes

As a not-for-profit fraternal insurer community commitment is a core value for Teachers Life For

more information please visit wwwteacherslifecom

About Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario is a not-for-profit charitable organization

funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care We work to improve the lives of

all Ontarians through leadership collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-

based mental health and addictions services Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the

mental health of all people We are a trusted advisor to government contributing to health systems

development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health

Our 30 local CMHA branches together with community-based mental health and addictions service

providers across the province serve approximately 500000 Ontarians each year

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the worldrsquos

largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American

states In addition to the OHL the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and

the Western Hockey League Last season more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the

regular season playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup The CHL supplies more players to

the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league For more information visit www

ontariohockeyleaguecom

-30-

Media contacts

[name]

[title]

[CMHA local branch]

[phone number]

[email address]

[name]

[title]

[local club]

[phone number]

[email address]

19CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch key messagesThese key messages are designed for teams and CMHA branch representatives to help with

discussing Talk Today with the publicmedia By using these all parties are contributing to

consistent messaging about the program These key messages are not to be distributed publicly

Issue

CMHA branches and teams are collaborating to hold game-day events across the country

for Talk Today a project that aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise

awareness about mental health and suicide prevention

Key messages

bull Wersquore extremely grateful to partner with the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] to host a Talk

Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community

bull Talk Today provides mental health support and raises suicide awareness among the [local

team] organization and throughout [the league]

bull Members of the [local team] play leadership roles within the community and players

particularly are seen as excellent role models who positively influence young fans and their

families

bull By hosting this event the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] are helping eliminate the stigma

and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within

the community about mental health

Key messages ndash youth mental health

bull One in five youth struggles with mental health

bull In Canada suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the

ages of 10 and 24

bull In the US suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of

15 and 24

4

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 8: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

Keep the conversation going online

TalkToday

Presented by

Presented by

8 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Public addressvideo board announcementsClubs routinely read public address announcements

during stoppages in play The template scripts

provided can be altered to include local team names

and read during those stoppages These should be 15

seconds long

There are also corresponding video graphics to

accompany each announcement The video boards

can be altered to suit the needs of the team and

CMHA branch

a ldquoTodayrsquos (club name) game is dedicated to Talk

Today the leaguersquos mental health program The

Canadian Mental Health Association works with

the (club name) to foster positive mental health

The CMHA can help you too Visit the CMHA

kiosk located at (location) for more informationrdquo

bull Use the graphic shown when reading this

message Please incorporate your local CMHA

branch and teamleague logo

b ldquoThe Canadian Mental Health Association is

working with the (club name) and the rest of the

(league name) on the leaguersquos mental health

program You can do your part Use the hashtag

Talk Today and keep the conversation about

mental health going onlinerdquo

bull Use graphic shown when reading this

message

4

9CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today placardsTeams and CMHA branches can create signs or use plain white pieces of Bristol board for

this element

The slogans provided and ldquoTalkTodayrdquo can be printedwritten on the signsBristol board A

photo taken of a player holding the placard is an image that can be used in several ways

For example some clubs have posted the images on video boards during games while other

clubs and CMHA branches have used the images on social media before during and after

awareness games

5

a There is strength in speaking up

TalkToday

c I will help you get help

TalkToday

b Itrsquos OK to ask for help

TalkToday

d You are not alone

TalkToday

10 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Pre-game ceremoniesWhere possible teams should invite CMHA branch staff to participate in a pre-game ceremony

In the case of hockey a ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity is most common

6

Fundraisingother elementsTeams and CMHA branches can add more elements to further enhance the awareness games

For example CMHA branches have benefited from 5050 draws or chuck-a-puck fundraising

efforts at the games CMHA staff should ask team staff if this is possible

Free tickets have also been issued to CMHA branch staff and clients as a way to display a

cohesive partnership

Another suggestion is to use green stick tape and skate laces to promote positive mental

health Green is the colour of mental health and CMHA

7

11CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today website bannerThe template banners (below) have been created to allow each team and CMHA branch to

customize a banner for their respective websites and social media accounts

The template banners can be used to link to a template news release posted on respective

team and CMHA branch web pages

Click on the template web banner for a high-resolution version

1

Communications elements

12 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Social media plan and sample postsThis plan will help CMHA branches and teams use social media effectively to promote Talk

Today game days and raise awareness about positive mental health and suicide prevention

2

Social media hashtags and channels

1 Hashtag The hashtag to be used to promote all Talk Today special events on all channels

is TalkToday

2 Channels (CMHA branch team and league wherever possible)

a Websites

b Twitter

c Facebook

d Instagram

13CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Activities

Timeline Channel Activities

Week before

event

Twitter bull Promote the event on Twitter (see suggested teaser tweets provided

below)

Facebook bull Promote the event on Facebook (see suggested teaser posts

provided below)

Once news

release is issued

Websites bull Post the news release and banner announcing the event

Twitter bull Tweet link to the news release (see suggested tweets provided)

Facebook bull Share news release on Facebook (see suggested posts provided)

Event day Websites bull Take pictures to post on the website following the event

Twitter bull Encourage fan participation during the game use the video board

and public address announcements and encourage fans to share

their support on Instagram Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag

TalkToday

bull Share live tweets from teambranch accounts at the event

bull CMHA branches and divisions will retweet event tweets

Facebook bull Announce that it is event day on Facebook and share live photos if

possible

Instagram bull Encourage players and attendees to post pictures from the event

using the hashtag TalkToday

Following the

event

Websites bull Create and post web story summarizing launch event with photos for

teamsbranches to post

Twitter bull Tweet media coverage of event

Facebook bull Share photos of event on Facebook

Instagram bull Share photos of event on Instagram

14 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Tracking and monitoring

All CMHA and league participants must use TalkToday for social media posts related to

the project This will enable CMHA to monitor and track the use of the hashtag across three

platforms (Instagram Facebook Twitter)

Sample posts for clubs and CMHA branches

Twitter

Tweets before news release is issued or before game-day events

bull Wersquore hard at work on something exciting with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA

branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Stay tuned

bull We canrsquot wait to share what wersquore working on with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert

CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Itrsquos going to be great Stay tuned

Tweets when news release is issued or when publicizing the game-day events

bull Help us promote positive mentalhealth Join us for the annual TalkToday event with ltinsert

teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link

to news release on branch websitegt

bull Our TalkToday initiative with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter

handlegt and TeachersLifeCAN continues with our annual special event Join us on ltinsert

dategt to talk mentalhealth

Tweets day of event

bull 1 in 5 youth struggle with mentalhealth issues Itrsquos time to TalkToday about mental health

Join us amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

bull Today wersquore encouraging conversation about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter

handlegt at the annual TalkToday event wtih TeachersLifeCAN Follow us for live updates

ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Tweets following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handle gt amp

TeachersLifeCAN for its support in talking about mental health ltinsert photo of the game

event if possiblegt TalkToday ltinsert link to story on teambranch websitegt

bull Thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos Twitter handleinsert CMHA branch Twitter handlegt

TeachersLifeCAN and fans for making our annual TalkToday event a success Yoursquore all

helping to make positive mentalhealth a part of our community ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

15CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Facebook

Facebook posts when news release is issued or when publicizing the event

bull Our Talk Today initiative with (the teamlocal CMHA branch) amp Teachers Life continues

Wersquore taking the mental health conversation into the community with our annual Talk Today

event - join us ltinsert link to news releasegt on branch websitegt

Facebook post day of event

bull One in five youth struggle with mental health issues Today wersquore encouraging conversation

about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos Facebook pageinsert CMHA branchrsquos Facebook

pagegt and Teachers Life at the annual TalkToday event Follow us for live updates at the

game ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Facebook post following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquosCMHArsquos Facebook pagegt fans and Teachers Life for making

our annual Talk Today event a success Yoursquore all a part of making positive mental health a

part of our community ltinsert photo of the gameevent if possiblegt ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

16 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

News release templateThis requires collaboration between the CMHA branch and the club Both sides need to work

together to finalize the release Most notably additional elements specific to each teamrsquos game

need to be added as do quotes and contact information from representatives from the branch

and the team

The media contact on the release should be comfortable confident and available to speak to

reporters about Talk Today and the awareness game To help with interviews a key message

document (for internal purposes only) is provided as part of this package The release should

be distributed to the teamrsquos media contacts a few days before the awareness game to spark

interest in the program and the game

3

Presented by

17CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

[Team] to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA [Branch] presented by

Teachers Life

[City Date] ndash The [club name] have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association [name of

local branch] for a mental health awareness game [date and time of game] presented by Teachers

Life when the [club name] take on the [opponent name] at [arena name]

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health

including

bull A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the

organizationrsquos community-based services

bull A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA [branch name]

bull Videos featuring [club name] players talking about the importance of mental health

bull Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA [name of local branch]

bull Mental health signs for fans to write on and show in unison at a designated stoppage in play

bull A CMHA fundraising component

This mental health awareness game is part of the [club name]rsquos ongoing partnership with CMHA

[local branch] and its Talk Today program presented by Teachers Life Originally launched by CMHA

Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014 Talk Today provides an important

opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada Through this program

over 1100 OHL players and over 400 coaches billets and staff have received mental health and

suicide prevention training across the league

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and

suicide prevention Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach who provides support

and mental health resources to individuals in need Additionally CMHA experts work with players

from the [club name] to deliver a basic in-class presentation about mental wellness to elementary

school students

ldquo[Quote from local CMHA branch using key messages provided]rdquo said [name] executive director

CEOmental health coach of CMHA [local branch]

18 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

ldquo[Quote from local team contact]rdquo said [name] [position] of the [local club]

Tickets for the game are still available starting from $[price] For ticket information contact [info

from local club]

Read more about Talk Today [link to web story]

About Teachers Life

Teachers Life is a not-for-profit federally regulated life-insurance company and North Americarsquos

largest educator-owned fraternal insurer Founded in 1939 Teachers Life offers a full suite of

personal insurance products to address the unique needs of the whole education community

including educators administrators support staff and their families Teachers Life is the first

insurance provider in Canada to underwrite life insurance products online in as little as 15 minutes

As a not-for-profit fraternal insurer community commitment is a core value for Teachers Life For

more information please visit wwwteacherslifecom

About Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario is a not-for-profit charitable organization

funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care We work to improve the lives of

all Ontarians through leadership collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-

based mental health and addictions services Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the

mental health of all people We are a trusted advisor to government contributing to health systems

development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health

Our 30 local CMHA branches together with community-based mental health and addictions service

providers across the province serve approximately 500000 Ontarians each year

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the worldrsquos

largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American

states In addition to the OHL the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and

the Western Hockey League Last season more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the

regular season playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup The CHL supplies more players to

the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league For more information visit www

ontariohockeyleaguecom

-30-

Media contacts

[name]

[title]

[CMHA local branch]

[phone number]

[email address]

[name]

[title]

[local club]

[phone number]

[email address]

19CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch key messagesThese key messages are designed for teams and CMHA branch representatives to help with

discussing Talk Today with the publicmedia By using these all parties are contributing to

consistent messaging about the program These key messages are not to be distributed publicly

Issue

CMHA branches and teams are collaborating to hold game-day events across the country

for Talk Today a project that aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise

awareness about mental health and suicide prevention

Key messages

bull Wersquore extremely grateful to partner with the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] to host a Talk

Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community

bull Talk Today provides mental health support and raises suicide awareness among the [local

team] organization and throughout [the league]

bull Members of the [local team] play leadership roles within the community and players

particularly are seen as excellent role models who positively influence young fans and their

families

bull By hosting this event the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] are helping eliminate the stigma

and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within

the community about mental health

Key messages ndash youth mental health

bull One in five youth struggles with mental health

bull In Canada suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the

ages of 10 and 24

bull In the US suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of

15 and 24

4

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 9: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

9CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today placardsTeams and CMHA branches can create signs or use plain white pieces of Bristol board for

this element

The slogans provided and ldquoTalkTodayrdquo can be printedwritten on the signsBristol board A

photo taken of a player holding the placard is an image that can be used in several ways

For example some clubs have posted the images on video boards during games while other

clubs and CMHA branches have used the images on social media before during and after

awareness games

5

a There is strength in speaking up

TalkToday

c I will help you get help

TalkToday

b Itrsquos OK to ask for help

TalkToday

d You are not alone

TalkToday

10 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Pre-game ceremoniesWhere possible teams should invite CMHA branch staff to participate in a pre-game ceremony

In the case of hockey a ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity is most common

6

Fundraisingother elementsTeams and CMHA branches can add more elements to further enhance the awareness games

For example CMHA branches have benefited from 5050 draws or chuck-a-puck fundraising

efforts at the games CMHA staff should ask team staff if this is possible

Free tickets have also been issued to CMHA branch staff and clients as a way to display a

cohesive partnership

Another suggestion is to use green stick tape and skate laces to promote positive mental

health Green is the colour of mental health and CMHA

7

11CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today website bannerThe template banners (below) have been created to allow each team and CMHA branch to

customize a banner for their respective websites and social media accounts

The template banners can be used to link to a template news release posted on respective

team and CMHA branch web pages

Click on the template web banner for a high-resolution version

1

Communications elements

12 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Social media plan and sample postsThis plan will help CMHA branches and teams use social media effectively to promote Talk

Today game days and raise awareness about positive mental health and suicide prevention

2

Social media hashtags and channels

1 Hashtag The hashtag to be used to promote all Talk Today special events on all channels

is TalkToday

2 Channels (CMHA branch team and league wherever possible)

a Websites

b Twitter

c Facebook

d Instagram

13CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Activities

Timeline Channel Activities

Week before

event

Twitter bull Promote the event on Twitter (see suggested teaser tweets provided

below)

Facebook bull Promote the event on Facebook (see suggested teaser posts

provided below)

Once news

release is issued

Websites bull Post the news release and banner announcing the event

Twitter bull Tweet link to the news release (see suggested tweets provided)

Facebook bull Share news release on Facebook (see suggested posts provided)

Event day Websites bull Take pictures to post on the website following the event

Twitter bull Encourage fan participation during the game use the video board

and public address announcements and encourage fans to share

their support on Instagram Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag

TalkToday

bull Share live tweets from teambranch accounts at the event

bull CMHA branches and divisions will retweet event tweets

Facebook bull Announce that it is event day on Facebook and share live photos if

possible

Instagram bull Encourage players and attendees to post pictures from the event

using the hashtag TalkToday

Following the

event

Websites bull Create and post web story summarizing launch event with photos for

teamsbranches to post

Twitter bull Tweet media coverage of event

Facebook bull Share photos of event on Facebook

Instagram bull Share photos of event on Instagram

14 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Tracking and monitoring

All CMHA and league participants must use TalkToday for social media posts related to

the project This will enable CMHA to monitor and track the use of the hashtag across three

platforms (Instagram Facebook Twitter)

Sample posts for clubs and CMHA branches

Twitter

Tweets before news release is issued or before game-day events

bull Wersquore hard at work on something exciting with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA

branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Stay tuned

bull We canrsquot wait to share what wersquore working on with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert

CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Itrsquos going to be great Stay tuned

Tweets when news release is issued or when publicizing the game-day events

bull Help us promote positive mentalhealth Join us for the annual TalkToday event with ltinsert

teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link

to news release on branch websitegt

bull Our TalkToday initiative with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter

handlegt and TeachersLifeCAN continues with our annual special event Join us on ltinsert

dategt to talk mentalhealth

Tweets day of event

bull 1 in 5 youth struggle with mentalhealth issues Itrsquos time to TalkToday about mental health

Join us amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

bull Today wersquore encouraging conversation about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter

handlegt at the annual TalkToday event wtih TeachersLifeCAN Follow us for live updates

ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Tweets following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handle gt amp

TeachersLifeCAN for its support in talking about mental health ltinsert photo of the game

event if possiblegt TalkToday ltinsert link to story on teambranch websitegt

bull Thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos Twitter handleinsert CMHA branch Twitter handlegt

TeachersLifeCAN and fans for making our annual TalkToday event a success Yoursquore all

helping to make positive mentalhealth a part of our community ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

15CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Facebook

Facebook posts when news release is issued or when publicizing the event

bull Our Talk Today initiative with (the teamlocal CMHA branch) amp Teachers Life continues

Wersquore taking the mental health conversation into the community with our annual Talk Today

event - join us ltinsert link to news releasegt on branch websitegt

Facebook post day of event

bull One in five youth struggle with mental health issues Today wersquore encouraging conversation

about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos Facebook pageinsert CMHA branchrsquos Facebook

pagegt and Teachers Life at the annual TalkToday event Follow us for live updates at the

game ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Facebook post following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquosCMHArsquos Facebook pagegt fans and Teachers Life for making

our annual Talk Today event a success Yoursquore all a part of making positive mental health a

part of our community ltinsert photo of the gameevent if possiblegt ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

16 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

News release templateThis requires collaboration between the CMHA branch and the club Both sides need to work

together to finalize the release Most notably additional elements specific to each teamrsquos game

need to be added as do quotes and contact information from representatives from the branch

and the team

The media contact on the release should be comfortable confident and available to speak to

reporters about Talk Today and the awareness game To help with interviews a key message

document (for internal purposes only) is provided as part of this package The release should

be distributed to the teamrsquos media contacts a few days before the awareness game to spark

interest in the program and the game

3

Presented by

17CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

[Team] to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA [Branch] presented by

Teachers Life

[City Date] ndash The [club name] have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association [name of

local branch] for a mental health awareness game [date and time of game] presented by Teachers

Life when the [club name] take on the [opponent name] at [arena name]

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health

including

bull A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the

organizationrsquos community-based services

bull A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA [branch name]

bull Videos featuring [club name] players talking about the importance of mental health

bull Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA [name of local branch]

bull Mental health signs for fans to write on and show in unison at a designated stoppage in play

bull A CMHA fundraising component

This mental health awareness game is part of the [club name]rsquos ongoing partnership with CMHA

[local branch] and its Talk Today program presented by Teachers Life Originally launched by CMHA

Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014 Talk Today provides an important

opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada Through this program

over 1100 OHL players and over 400 coaches billets and staff have received mental health and

suicide prevention training across the league

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and

suicide prevention Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach who provides support

and mental health resources to individuals in need Additionally CMHA experts work with players

from the [club name] to deliver a basic in-class presentation about mental wellness to elementary

school students

ldquo[Quote from local CMHA branch using key messages provided]rdquo said [name] executive director

CEOmental health coach of CMHA [local branch]

18 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

ldquo[Quote from local team contact]rdquo said [name] [position] of the [local club]

Tickets for the game are still available starting from $[price] For ticket information contact [info

from local club]

Read more about Talk Today [link to web story]

About Teachers Life

Teachers Life is a not-for-profit federally regulated life-insurance company and North Americarsquos

largest educator-owned fraternal insurer Founded in 1939 Teachers Life offers a full suite of

personal insurance products to address the unique needs of the whole education community

including educators administrators support staff and their families Teachers Life is the first

insurance provider in Canada to underwrite life insurance products online in as little as 15 minutes

As a not-for-profit fraternal insurer community commitment is a core value for Teachers Life For

more information please visit wwwteacherslifecom

About Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario is a not-for-profit charitable organization

funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care We work to improve the lives of

all Ontarians through leadership collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-

based mental health and addictions services Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the

mental health of all people We are a trusted advisor to government contributing to health systems

development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health

Our 30 local CMHA branches together with community-based mental health and addictions service

providers across the province serve approximately 500000 Ontarians each year

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the worldrsquos

largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American

states In addition to the OHL the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and

the Western Hockey League Last season more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the

regular season playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup The CHL supplies more players to

the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league For more information visit www

ontariohockeyleaguecom

-30-

Media contacts

[name]

[title]

[CMHA local branch]

[phone number]

[email address]

[name]

[title]

[local club]

[phone number]

[email address]

19CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch key messagesThese key messages are designed for teams and CMHA branch representatives to help with

discussing Talk Today with the publicmedia By using these all parties are contributing to

consistent messaging about the program These key messages are not to be distributed publicly

Issue

CMHA branches and teams are collaborating to hold game-day events across the country

for Talk Today a project that aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise

awareness about mental health and suicide prevention

Key messages

bull Wersquore extremely grateful to partner with the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] to host a Talk

Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community

bull Talk Today provides mental health support and raises suicide awareness among the [local

team] organization and throughout [the league]

bull Members of the [local team] play leadership roles within the community and players

particularly are seen as excellent role models who positively influence young fans and their

families

bull By hosting this event the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] are helping eliminate the stigma

and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within

the community about mental health

Key messages ndash youth mental health

bull One in five youth struggles with mental health

bull In Canada suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the

ages of 10 and 24

bull In the US suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of

15 and 24

4

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 10: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

10 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Pre-game ceremoniesWhere possible teams should invite CMHA branch staff to participate in a pre-game ceremony

In the case of hockey a ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity is most common

6

Fundraisingother elementsTeams and CMHA branches can add more elements to further enhance the awareness games

For example CMHA branches have benefited from 5050 draws or chuck-a-puck fundraising

efforts at the games CMHA staff should ask team staff if this is possible

Free tickets have also been issued to CMHA branch staff and clients as a way to display a

cohesive partnership

Another suggestion is to use green stick tape and skate laces to promote positive mental

health Green is the colour of mental health and CMHA

7

11CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today website bannerThe template banners (below) have been created to allow each team and CMHA branch to

customize a banner for their respective websites and social media accounts

The template banners can be used to link to a template news release posted on respective

team and CMHA branch web pages

Click on the template web banner for a high-resolution version

1

Communications elements

12 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Social media plan and sample postsThis plan will help CMHA branches and teams use social media effectively to promote Talk

Today game days and raise awareness about positive mental health and suicide prevention

2

Social media hashtags and channels

1 Hashtag The hashtag to be used to promote all Talk Today special events on all channels

is TalkToday

2 Channels (CMHA branch team and league wherever possible)

a Websites

b Twitter

c Facebook

d Instagram

13CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Activities

Timeline Channel Activities

Week before

event

Twitter bull Promote the event on Twitter (see suggested teaser tweets provided

below)

Facebook bull Promote the event on Facebook (see suggested teaser posts

provided below)

Once news

release is issued

Websites bull Post the news release and banner announcing the event

Twitter bull Tweet link to the news release (see suggested tweets provided)

Facebook bull Share news release on Facebook (see suggested posts provided)

Event day Websites bull Take pictures to post on the website following the event

Twitter bull Encourage fan participation during the game use the video board

and public address announcements and encourage fans to share

their support on Instagram Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag

TalkToday

bull Share live tweets from teambranch accounts at the event

bull CMHA branches and divisions will retweet event tweets

Facebook bull Announce that it is event day on Facebook and share live photos if

possible

Instagram bull Encourage players and attendees to post pictures from the event

using the hashtag TalkToday

Following the

event

Websites bull Create and post web story summarizing launch event with photos for

teamsbranches to post

Twitter bull Tweet media coverage of event

Facebook bull Share photos of event on Facebook

Instagram bull Share photos of event on Instagram

14 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Tracking and monitoring

All CMHA and league participants must use TalkToday for social media posts related to

the project This will enable CMHA to monitor and track the use of the hashtag across three

platforms (Instagram Facebook Twitter)

Sample posts for clubs and CMHA branches

Twitter

Tweets before news release is issued or before game-day events

bull Wersquore hard at work on something exciting with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA

branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Stay tuned

bull We canrsquot wait to share what wersquore working on with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert

CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Itrsquos going to be great Stay tuned

Tweets when news release is issued or when publicizing the game-day events

bull Help us promote positive mentalhealth Join us for the annual TalkToday event with ltinsert

teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link

to news release on branch websitegt

bull Our TalkToday initiative with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter

handlegt and TeachersLifeCAN continues with our annual special event Join us on ltinsert

dategt to talk mentalhealth

Tweets day of event

bull 1 in 5 youth struggle with mentalhealth issues Itrsquos time to TalkToday about mental health

Join us amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

bull Today wersquore encouraging conversation about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter

handlegt at the annual TalkToday event wtih TeachersLifeCAN Follow us for live updates

ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Tweets following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handle gt amp

TeachersLifeCAN for its support in talking about mental health ltinsert photo of the game

event if possiblegt TalkToday ltinsert link to story on teambranch websitegt

bull Thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos Twitter handleinsert CMHA branch Twitter handlegt

TeachersLifeCAN and fans for making our annual TalkToday event a success Yoursquore all

helping to make positive mentalhealth a part of our community ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

15CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Facebook

Facebook posts when news release is issued or when publicizing the event

bull Our Talk Today initiative with (the teamlocal CMHA branch) amp Teachers Life continues

Wersquore taking the mental health conversation into the community with our annual Talk Today

event - join us ltinsert link to news releasegt on branch websitegt

Facebook post day of event

bull One in five youth struggle with mental health issues Today wersquore encouraging conversation

about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos Facebook pageinsert CMHA branchrsquos Facebook

pagegt and Teachers Life at the annual TalkToday event Follow us for live updates at the

game ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Facebook post following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquosCMHArsquos Facebook pagegt fans and Teachers Life for making

our annual Talk Today event a success Yoursquore all a part of making positive mental health a

part of our community ltinsert photo of the gameevent if possiblegt ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

16 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

News release templateThis requires collaboration between the CMHA branch and the club Both sides need to work

together to finalize the release Most notably additional elements specific to each teamrsquos game

need to be added as do quotes and contact information from representatives from the branch

and the team

The media contact on the release should be comfortable confident and available to speak to

reporters about Talk Today and the awareness game To help with interviews a key message

document (for internal purposes only) is provided as part of this package The release should

be distributed to the teamrsquos media contacts a few days before the awareness game to spark

interest in the program and the game

3

Presented by

17CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

[Team] to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA [Branch] presented by

Teachers Life

[City Date] ndash The [club name] have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association [name of

local branch] for a mental health awareness game [date and time of game] presented by Teachers

Life when the [club name] take on the [opponent name] at [arena name]

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health

including

bull A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the

organizationrsquos community-based services

bull A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA [branch name]

bull Videos featuring [club name] players talking about the importance of mental health

bull Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA [name of local branch]

bull Mental health signs for fans to write on and show in unison at a designated stoppage in play

bull A CMHA fundraising component

This mental health awareness game is part of the [club name]rsquos ongoing partnership with CMHA

[local branch] and its Talk Today program presented by Teachers Life Originally launched by CMHA

Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014 Talk Today provides an important

opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada Through this program

over 1100 OHL players and over 400 coaches billets and staff have received mental health and

suicide prevention training across the league

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and

suicide prevention Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach who provides support

and mental health resources to individuals in need Additionally CMHA experts work with players

from the [club name] to deliver a basic in-class presentation about mental wellness to elementary

school students

ldquo[Quote from local CMHA branch using key messages provided]rdquo said [name] executive director

CEOmental health coach of CMHA [local branch]

18 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

ldquo[Quote from local team contact]rdquo said [name] [position] of the [local club]

Tickets for the game are still available starting from $[price] For ticket information contact [info

from local club]

Read more about Talk Today [link to web story]

About Teachers Life

Teachers Life is a not-for-profit federally regulated life-insurance company and North Americarsquos

largest educator-owned fraternal insurer Founded in 1939 Teachers Life offers a full suite of

personal insurance products to address the unique needs of the whole education community

including educators administrators support staff and their families Teachers Life is the first

insurance provider in Canada to underwrite life insurance products online in as little as 15 minutes

As a not-for-profit fraternal insurer community commitment is a core value for Teachers Life For

more information please visit wwwteacherslifecom

About Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario is a not-for-profit charitable organization

funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care We work to improve the lives of

all Ontarians through leadership collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-

based mental health and addictions services Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the

mental health of all people We are a trusted advisor to government contributing to health systems

development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health

Our 30 local CMHA branches together with community-based mental health and addictions service

providers across the province serve approximately 500000 Ontarians each year

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the worldrsquos

largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American

states In addition to the OHL the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and

the Western Hockey League Last season more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the

regular season playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup The CHL supplies more players to

the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league For more information visit www

ontariohockeyleaguecom

-30-

Media contacts

[name]

[title]

[CMHA local branch]

[phone number]

[email address]

[name]

[title]

[local club]

[phone number]

[email address]

19CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch key messagesThese key messages are designed for teams and CMHA branch representatives to help with

discussing Talk Today with the publicmedia By using these all parties are contributing to

consistent messaging about the program These key messages are not to be distributed publicly

Issue

CMHA branches and teams are collaborating to hold game-day events across the country

for Talk Today a project that aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise

awareness about mental health and suicide prevention

Key messages

bull Wersquore extremely grateful to partner with the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] to host a Talk

Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community

bull Talk Today provides mental health support and raises suicide awareness among the [local

team] organization and throughout [the league]

bull Members of the [local team] play leadership roles within the community and players

particularly are seen as excellent role models who positively influence young fans and their

families

bull By hosting this event the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] are helping eliminate the stigma

and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within

the community about mental health

Key messages ndash youth mental health

bull One in five youth struggles with mental health

bull In Canada suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the

ages of 10 and 24

bull In the US suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of

15 and 24

4

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 11: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

11CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today website bannerThe template banners (below) have been created to allow each team and CMHA branch to

customize a banner for their respective websites and social media accounts

The template banners can be used to link to a template news release posted on respective

team and CMHA branch web pages

Click on the template web banner for a high-resolution version

1

Communications elements

12 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Social media plan and sample postsThis plan will help CMHA branches and teams use social media effectively to promote Talk

Today game days and raise awareness about positive mental health and suicide prevention

2

Social media hashtags and channels

1 Hashtag The hashtag to be used to promote all Talk Today special events on all channels

is TalkToday

2 Channels (CMHA branch team and league wherever possible)

a Websites

b Twitter

c Facebook

d Instagram

13CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Activities

Timeline Channel Activities

Week before

event

Twitter bull Promote the event on Twitter (see suggested teaser tweets provided

below)

Facebook bull Promote the event on Facebook (see suggested teaser posts

provided below)

Once news

release is issued

Websites bull Post the news release and banner announcing the event

Twitter bull Tweet link to the news release (see suggested tweets provided)

Facebook bull Share news release on Facebook (see suggested posts provided)

Event day Websites bull Take pictures to post on the website following the event

Twitter bull Encourage fan participation during the game use the video board

and public address announcements and encourage fans to share

their support on Instagram Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag

TalkToday

bull Share live tweets from teambranch accounts at the event

bull CMHA branches and divisions will retweet event tweets

Facebook bull Announce that it is event day on Facebook and share live photos if

possible

Instagram bull Encourage players and attendees to post pictures from the event

using the hashtag TalkToday

Following the

event

Websites bull Create and post web story summarizing launch event with photos for

teamsbranches to post

Twitter bull Tweet media coverage of event

Facebook bull Share photos of event on Facebook

Instagram bull Share photos of event on Instagram

14 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Tracking and monitoring

All CMHA and league participants must use TalkToday for social media posts related to

the project This will enable CMHA to monitor and track the use of the hashtag across three

platforms (Instagram Facebook Twitter)

Sample posts for clubs and CMHA branches

Twitter

Tweets before news release is issued or before game-day events

bull Wersquore hard at work on something exciting with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA

branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Stay tuned

bull We canrsquot wait to share what wersquore working on with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert

CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Itrsquos going to be great Stay tuned

Tweets when news release is issued or when publicizing the game-day events

bull Help us promote positive mentalhealth Join us for the annual TalkToday event with ltinsert

teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link

to news release on branch websitegt

bull Our TalkToday initiative with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter

handlegt and TeachersLifeCAN continues with our annual special event Join us on ltinsert

dategt to talk mentalhealth

Tweets day of event

bull 1 in 5 youth struggle with mentalhealth issues Itrsquos time to TalkToday about mental health

Join us amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

bull Today wersquore encouraging conversation about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter

handlegt at the annual TalkToday event wtih TeachersLifeCAN Follow us for live updates

ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Tweets following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handle gt amp

TeachersLifeCAN for its support in talking about mental health ltinsert photo of the game

event if possiblegt TalkToday ltinsert link to story on teambranch websitegt

bull Thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos Twitter handleinsert CMHA branch Twitter handlegt

TeachersLifeCAN and fans for making our annual TalkToday event a success Yoursquore all

helping to make positive mentalhealth a part of our community ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

15CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Facebook

Facebook posts when news release is issued or when publicizing the event

bull Our Talk Today initiative with (the teamlocal CMHA branch) amp Teachers Life continues

Wersquore taking the mental health conversation into the community with our annual Talk Today

event - join us ltinsert link to news releasegt on branch websitegt

Facebook post day of event

bull One in five youth struggle with mental health issues Today wersquore encouraging conversation

about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos Facebook pageinsert CMHA branchrsquos Facebook

pagegt and Teachers Life at the annual TalkToday event Follow us for live updates at the

game ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Facebook post following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquosCMHArsquos Facebook pagegt fans and Teachers Life for making

our annual Talk Today event a success Yoursquore all a part of making positive mental health a

part of our community ltinsert photo of the gameevent if possiblegt ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

16 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

News release templateThis requires collaboration between the CMHA branch and the club Both sides need to work

together to finalize the release Most notably additional elements specific to each teamrsquos game

need to be added as do quotes and contact information from representatives from the branch

and the team

The media contact on the release should be comfortable confident and available to speak to

reporters about Talk Today and the awareness game To help with interviews a key message

document (for internal purposes only) is provided as part of this package The release should

be distributed to the teamrsquos media contacts a few days before the awareness game to spark

interest in the program and the game

3

Presented by

17CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

[Team] to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA [Branch] presented by

Teachers Life

[City Date] ndash The [club name] have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association [name of

local branch] for a mental health awareness game [date and time of game] presented by Teachers

Life when the [club name] take on the [opponent name] at [arena name]

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health

including

bull A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the

organizationrsquos community-based services

bull A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA [branch name]

bull Videos featuring [club name] players talking about the importance of mental health

bull Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA [name of local branch]

bull Mental health signs for fans to write on and show in unison at a designated stoppage in play

bull A CMHA fundraising component

This mental health awareness game is part of the [club name]rsquos ongoing partnership with CMHA

[local branch] and its Talk Today program presented by Teachers Life Originally launched by CMHA

Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014 Talk Today provides an important

opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada Through this program

over 1100 OHL players and over 400 coaches billets and staff have received mental health and

suicide prevention training across the league

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and

suicide prevention Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach who provides support

and mental health resources to individuals in need Additionally CMHA experts work with players

from the [club name] to deliver a basic in-class presentation about mental wellness to elementary

school students

ldquo[Quote from local CMHA branch using key messages provided]rdquo said [name] executive director

CEOmental health coach of CMHA [local branch]

18 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

ldquo[Quote from local team contact]rdquo said [name] [position] of the [local club]

Tickets for the game are still available starting from $[price] For ticket information contact [info

from local club]

Read more about Talk Today [link to web story]

About Teachers Life

Teachers Life is a not-for-profit federally regulated life-insurance company and North Americarsquos

largest educator-owned fraternal insurer Founded in 1939 Teachers Life offers a full suite of

personal insurance products to address the unique needs of the whole education community

including educators administrators support staff and their families Teachers Life is the first

insurance provider in Canada to underwrite life insurance products online in as little as 15 minutes

As a not-for-profit fraternal insurer community commitment is a core value for Teachers Life For

more information please visit wwwteacherslifecom

About Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario is a not-for-profit charitable organization

funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care We work to improve the lives of

all Ontarians through leadership collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-

based mental health and addictions services Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the

mental health of all people We are a trusted advisor to government contributing to health systems

development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health

Our 30 local CMHA branches together with community-based mental health and addictions service

providers across the province serve approximately 500000 Ontarians each year

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the worldrsquos

largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American

states In addition to the OHL the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and

the Western Hockey League Last season more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the

regular season playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup The CHL supplies more players to

the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league For more information visit www

ontariohockeyleaguecom

-30-

Media contacts

[name]

[title]

[CMHA local branch]

[phone number]

[email address]

[name]

[title]

[local club]

[phone number]

[email address]

19CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch key messagesThese key messages are designed for teams and CMHA branch representatives to help with

discussing Talk Today with the publicmedia By using these all parties are contributing to

consistent messaging about the program These key messages are not to be distributed publicly

Issue

CMHA branches and teams are collaborating to hold game-day events across the country

for Talk Today a project that aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise

awareness about mental health and suicide prevention

Key messages

bull Wersquore extremely grateful to partner with the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] to host a Talk

Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community

bull Talk Today provides mental health support and raises suicide awareness among the [local

team] organization and throughout [the league]

bull Members of the [local team] play leadership roles within the community and players

particularly are seen as excellent role models who positively influence young fans and their

families

bull By hosting this event the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] are helping eliminate the stigma

and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within

the community about mental health

Key messages ndash youth mental health

bull One in five youth struggles with mental health

bull In Canada suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the

ages of 10 and 24

bull In the US suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of

15 and 24

4

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 12: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

12 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Social media plan and sample postsThis plan will help CMHA branches and teams use social media effectively to promote Talk

Today game days and raise awareness about positive mental health and suicide prevention

2

Social media hashtags and channels

1 Hashtag The hashtag to be used to promote all Talk Today special events on all channels

is TalkToday

2 Channels (CMHA branch team and league wherever possible)

a Websites

b Twitter

c Facebook

d Instagram

13CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Activities

Timeline Channel Activities

Week before

event

Twitter bull Promote the event on Twitter (see suggested teaser tweets provided

below)

Facebook bull Promote the event on Facebook (see suggested teaser posts

provided below)

Once news

release is issued

Websites bull Post the news release and banner announcing the event

Twitter bull Tweet link to the news release (see suggested tweets provided)

Facebook bull Share news release on Facebook (see suggested posts provided)

Event day Websites bull Take pictures to post on the website following the event

Twitter bull Encourage fan participation during the game use the video board

and public address announcements and encourage fans to share

their support on Instagram Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag

TalkToday

bull Share live tweets from teambranch accounts at the event

bull CMHA branches and divisions will retweet event tweets

Facebook bull Announce that it is event day on Facebook and share live photos if

possible

Instagram bull Encourage players and attendees to post pictures from the event

using the hashtag TalkToday

Following the

event

Websites bull Create and post web story summarizing launch event with photos for

teamsbranches to post

Twitter bull Tweet media coverage of event

Facebook bull Share photos of event on Facebook

Instagram bull Share photos of event on Instagram

14 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Tracking and monitoring

All CMHA and league participants must use TalkToday for social media posts related to

the project This will enable CMHA to monitor and track the use of the hashtag across three

platforms (Instagram Facebook Twitter)

Sample posts for clubs and CMHA branches

Twitter

Tweets before news release is issued or before game-day events

bull Wersquore hard at work on something exciting with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA

branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Stay tuned

bull We canrsquot wait to share what wersquore working on with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert

CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Itrsquos going to be great Stay tuned

Tweets when news release is issued or when publicizing the game-day events

bull Help us promote positive mentalhealth Join us for the annual TalkToday event with ltinsert

teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link

to news release on branch websitegt

bull Our TalkToday initiative with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter

handlegt and TeachersLifeCAN continues with our annual special event Join us on ltinsert

dategt to talk mentalhealth

Tweets day of event

bull 1 in 5 youth struggle with mentalhealth issues Itrsquos time to TalkToday about mental health

Join us amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

bull Today wersquore encouraging conversation about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter

handlegt at the annual TalkToday event wtih TeachersLifeCAN Follow us for live updates

ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Tweets following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handle gt amp

TeachersLifeCAN for its support in talking about mental health ltinsert photo of the game

event if possiblegt TalkToday ltinsert link to story on teambranch websitegt

bull Thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos Twitter handleinsert CMHA branch Twitter handlegt

TeachersLifeCAN and fans for making our annual TalkToday event a success Yoursquore all

helping to make positive mentalhealth a part of our community ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

15CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Facebook

Facebook posts when news release is issued or when publicizing the event

bull Our Talk Today initiative with (the teamlocal CMHA branch) amp Teachers Life continues

Wersquore taking the mental health conversation into the community with our annual Talk Today

event - join us ltinsert link to news releasegt on branch websitegt

Facebook post day of event

bull One in five youth struggle with mental health issues Today wersquore encouraging conversation

about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos Facebook pageinsert CMHA branchrsquos Facebook

pagegt and Teachers Life at the annual TalkToday event Follow us for live updates at the

game ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Facebook post following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquosCMHArsquos Facebook pagegt fans and Teachers Life for making

our annual Talk Today event a success Yoursquore all a part of making positive mental health a

part of our community ltinsert photo of the gameevent if possiblegt ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

16 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

News release templateThis requires collaboration between the CMHA branch and the club Both sides need to work

together to finalize the release Most notably additional elements specific to each teamrsquos game

need to be added as do quotes and contact information from representatives from the branch

and the team

The media contact on the release should be comfortable confident and available to speak to

reporters about Talk Today and the awareness game To help with interviews a key message

document (for internal purposes only) is provided as part of this package The release should

be distributed to the teamrsquos media contacts a few days before the awareness game to spark

interest in the program and the game

3

Presented by

17CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

[Team] to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA [Branch] presented by

Teachers Life

[City Date] ndash The [club name] have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association [name of

local branch] for a mental health awareness game [date and time of game] presented by Teachers

Life when the [club name] take on the [opponent name] at [arena name]

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health

including

bull A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the

organizationrsquos community-based services

bull A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA [branch name]

bull Videos featuring [club name] players talking about the importance of mental health

bull Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA [name of local branch]

bull Mental health signs for fans to write on and show in unison at a designated stoppage in play

bull A CMHA fundraising component

This mental health awareness game is part of the [club name]rsquos ongoing partnership with CMHA

[local branch] and its Talk Today program presented by Teachers Life Originally launched by CMHA

Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014 Talk Today provides an important

opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada Through this program

over 1100 OHL players and over 400 coaches billets and staff have received mental health and

suicide prevention training across the league

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and

suicide prevention Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach who provides support

and mental health resources to individuals in need Additionally CMHA experts work with players

from the [club name] to deliver a basic in-class presentation about mental wellness to elementary

school students

ldquo[Quote from local CMHA branch using key messages provided]rdquo said [name] executive director

CEOmental health coach of CMHA [local branch]

18 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

ldquo[Quote from local team contact]rdquo said [name] [position] of the [local club]

Tickets for the game are still available starting from $[price] For ticket information contact [info

from local club]

Read more about Talk Today [link to web story]

About Teachers Life

Teachers Life is a not-for-profit federally regulated life-insurance company and North Americarsquos

largest educator-owned fraternal insurer Founded in 1939 Teachers Life offers a full suite of

personal insurance products to address the unique needs of the whole education community

including educators administrators support staff and their families Teachers Life is the first

insurance provider in Canada to underwrite life insurance products online in as little as 15 minutes

As a not-for-profit fraternal insurer community commitment is a core value for Teachers Life For

more information please visit wwwteacherslifecom

About Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario is a not-for-profit charitable organization

funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care We work to improve the lives of

all Ontarians through leadership collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-

based mental health and addictions services Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the

mental health of all people We are a trusted advisor to government contributing to health systems

development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health

Our 30 local CMHA branches together with community-based mental health and addictions service

providers across the province serve approximately 500000 Ontarians each year

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the worldrsquos

largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American

states In addition to the OHL the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and

the Western Hockey League Last season more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the

regular season playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup The CHL supplies more players to

the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league For more information visit www

ontariohockeyleaguecom

-30-

Media contacts

[name]

[title]

[CMHA local branch]

[phone number]

[email address]

[name]

[title]

[local club]

[phone number]

[email address]

19CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch key messagesThese key messages are designed for teams and CMHA branch representatives to help with

discussing Talk Today with the publicmedia By using these all parties are contributing to

consistent messaging about the program These key messages are not to be distributed publicly

Issue

CMHA branches and teams are collaborating to hold game-day events across the country

for Talk Today a project that aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise

awareness about mental health and suicide prevention

Key messages

bull Wersquore extremely grateful to partner with the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] to host a Talk

Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community

bull Talk Today provides mental health support and raises suicide awareness among the [local

team] organization and throughout [the league]

bull Members of the [local team] play leadership roles within the community and players

particularly are seen as excellent role models who positively influence young fans and their

families

bull By hosting this event the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] are helping eliminate the stigma

and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within

the community about mental health

Key messages ndash youth mental health

bull One in five youth struggles with mental health

bull In Canada suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the

ages of 10 and 24

bull In the US suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of

15 and 24

4

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 13: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

13CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Activities

Timeline Channel Activities

Week before

event

Twitter bull Promote the event on Twitter (see suggested teaser tweets provided

below)

Facebook bull Promote the event on Facebook (see suggested teaser posts

provided below)

Once news

release is issued

Websites bull Post the news release and banner announcing the event

Twitter bull Tweet link to the news release (see suggested tweets provided)

Facebook bull Share news release on Facebook (see suggested posts provided)

Event day Websites bull Take pictures to post on the website following the event

Twitter bull Encourage fan participation during the game use the video board

and public address announcements and encourage fans to share

their support on Instagram Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag

TalkToday

bull Share live tweets from teambranch accounts at the event

bull CMHA branches and divisions will retweet event tweets

Facebook bull Announce that it is event day on Facebook and share live photos if

possible

Instagram bull Encourage players and attendees to post pictures from the event

using the hashtag TalkToday

Following the

event

Websites bull Create and post web story summarizing launch event with photos for

teamsbranches to post

Twitter bull Tweet media coverage of event

Facebook bull Share photos of event on Facebook

Instagram bull Share photos of event on Instagram

14 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Tracking and monitoring

All CMHA and league participants must use TalkToday for social media posts related to

the project This will enable CMHA to monitor and track the use of the hashtag across three

platforms (Instagram Facebook Twitter)

Sample posts for clubs and CMHA branches

Twitter

Tweets before news release is issued or before game-day events

bull Wersquore hard at work on something exciting with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA

branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Stay tuned

bull We canrsquot wait to share what wersquore working on with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert

CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Itrsquos going to be great Stay tuned

Tweets when news release is issued or when publicizing the game-day events

bull Help us promote positive mentalhealth Join us for the annual TalkToday event with ltinsert

teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link

to news release on branch websitegt

bull Our TalkToday initiative with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter

handlegt and TeachersLifeCAN continues with our annual special event Join us on ltinsert

dategt to talk mentalhealth

Tweets day of event

bull 1 in 5 youth struggle with mentalhealth issues Itrsquos time to TalkToday about mental health

Join us amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

bull Today wersquore encouraging conversation about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter

handlegt at the annual TalkToday event wtih TeachersLifeCAN Follow us for live updates

ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Tweets following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handle gt amp

TeachersLifeCAN for its support in talking about mental health ltinsert photo of the game

event if possiblegt TalkToday ltinsert link to story on teambranch websitegt

bull Thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos Twitter handleinsert CMHA branch Twitter handlegt

TeachersLifeCAN and fans for making our annual TalkToday event a success Yoursquore all

helping to make positive mentalhealth a part of our community ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

15CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Facebook

Facebook posts when news release is issued or when publicizing the event

bull Our Talk Today initiative with (the teamlocal CMHA branch) amp Teachers Life continues

Wersquore taking the mental health conversation into the community with our annual Talk Today

event - join us ltinsert link to news releasegt on branch websitegt

Facebook post day of event

bull One in five youth struggle with mental health issues Today wersquore encouraging conversation

about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos Facebook pageinsert CMHA branchrsquos Facebook

pagegt and Teachers Life at the annual TalkToday event Follow us for live updates at the

game ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Facebook post following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquosCMHArsquos Facebook pagegt fans and Teachers Life for making

our annual Talk Today event a success Yoursquore all a part of making positive mental health a

part of our community ltinsert photo of the gameevent if possiblegt ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

16 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

News release templateThis requires collaboration between the CMHA branch and the club Both sides need to work

together to finalize the release Most notably additional elements specific to each teamrsquos game

need to be added as do quotes and contact information from representatives from the branch

and the team

The media contact on the release should be comfortable confident and available to speak to

reporters about Talk Today and the awareness game To help with interviews a key message

document (for internal purposes only) is provided as part of this package The release should

be distributed to the teamrsquos media contacts a few days before the awareness game to spark

interest in the program and the game

3

Presented by

17CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

[Team] to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA [Branch] presented by

Teachers Life

[City Date] ndash The [club name] have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association [name of

local branch] for a mental health awareness game [date and time of game] presented by Teachers

Life when the [club name] take on the [opponent name] at [arena name]

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health

including

bull A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the

organizationrsquos community-based services

bull A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA [branch name]

bull Videos featuring [club name] players talking about the importance of mental health

bull Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA [name of local branch]

bull Mental health signs for fans to write on and show in unison at a designated stoppage in play

bull A CMHA fundraising component

This mental health awareness game is part of the [club name]rsquos ongoing partnership with CMHA

[local branch] and its Talk Today program presented by Teachers Life Originally launched by CMHA

Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014 Talk Today provides an important

opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada Through this program

over 1100 OHL players and over 400 coaches billets and staff have received mental health and

suicide prevention training across the league

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and

suicide prevention Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach who provides support

and mental health resources to individuals in need Additionally CMHA experts work with players

from the [club name] to deliver a basic in-class presentation about mental wellness to elementary

school students

ldquo[Quote from local CMHA branch using key messages provided]rdquo said [name] executive director

CEOmental health coach of CMHA [local branch]

18 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

ldquo[Quote from local team contact]rdquo said [name] [position] of the [local club]

Tickets for the game are still available starting from $[price] For ticket information contact [info

from local club]

Read more about Talk Today [link to web story]

About Teachers Life

Teachers Life is a not-for-profit federally regulated life-insurance company and North Americarsquos

largest educator-owned fraternal insurer Founded in 1939 Teachers Life offers a full suite of

personal insurance products to address the unique needs of the whole education community

including educators administrators support staff and their families Teachers Life is the first

insurance provider in Canada to underwrite life insurance products online in as little as 15 minutes

As a not-for-profit fraternal insurer community commitment is a core value for Teachers Life For

more information please visit wwwteacherslifecom

About Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario is a not-for-profit charitable organization

funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care We work to improve the lives of

all Ontarians through leadership collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-

based mental health and addictions services Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the

mental health of all people We are a trusted advisor to government contributing to health systems

development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health

Our 30 local CMHA branches together with community-based mental health and addictions service

providers across the province serve approximately 500000 Ontarians each year

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the worldrsquos

largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American

states In addition to the OHL the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and

the Western Hockey League Last season more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the

regular season playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup The CHL supplies more players to

the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league For more information visit www

ontariohockeyleaguecom

-30-

Media contacts

[name]

[title]

[CMHA local branch]

[phone number]

[email address]

[name]

[title]

[local club]

[phone number]

[email address]

19CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch key messagesThese key messages are designed for teams and CMHA branch representatives to help with

discussing Talk Today with the publicmedia By using these all parties are contributing to

consistent messaging about the program These key messages are not to be distributed publicly

Issue

CMHA branches and teams are collaborating to hold game-day events across the country

for Talk Today a project that aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise

awareness about mental health and suicide prevention

Key messages

bull Wersquore extremely grateful to partner with the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] to host a Talk

Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community

bull Talk Today provides mental health support and raises suicide awareness among the [local

team] organization and throughout [the league]

bull Members of the [local team] play leadership roles within the community and players

particularly are seen as excellent role models who positively influence young fans and their

families

bull By hosting this event the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] are helping eliminate the stigma

and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within

the community about mental health

Key messages ndash youth mental health

bull One in five youth struggles with mental health

bull In Canada suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the

ages of 10 and 24

bull In the US suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of

15 and 24

4

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 14: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

14 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Tracking and monitoring

All CMHA and league participants must use TalkToday for social media posts related to

the project This will enable CMHA to monitor and track the use of the hashtag across three

platforms (Instagram Facebook Twitter)

Sample posts for clubs and CMHA branches

Twitter

Tweets before news release is issued or before game-day events

bull Wersquore hard at work on something exciting with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA

branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Stay tuned

bull We canrsquot wait to share what wersquore working on with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert

CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN Itrsquos going to be great Stay tuned

Tweets when news release is issued or when publicizing the game-day events

bull Help us promote positive mentalhealth Join us for the annual TalkToday event with ltinsert

teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handlegt amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link

to news release on branch websitegt

bull Our TalkToday initiative with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter

handlegt and TeachersLifeCAN continues with our annual special event Join us on ltinsert

dategt to talk mentalhealth

Tweets day of event

bull 1 in 5 youth struggle with mentalhealth issues Itrsquos time to TalkToday about mental health

Join us amp TeachersLifeCAN ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

bull Today wersquore encouraging conversation about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos twitter

handlegt at the annual TalkToday event wtih TeachersLifeCAN Follow us for live updates

ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Tweets following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos twitter handleinsert CMHA branch twitter handle gt amp

TeachersLifeCAN for its support in talking about mental health ltinsert photo of the game

event if possiblegt TalkToday ltinsert link to story on teambranch websitegt

bull Thanks to ltinsert teamrsquos Twitter handleinsert CMHA branch Twitter handlegt

TeachersLifeCAN and fans for making our annual TalkToday event a success Yoursquore all

helping to make positive mentalhealth a part of our community ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

15CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Facebook

Facebook posts when news release is issued or when publicizing the event

bull Our Talk Today initiative with (the teamlocal CMHA branch) amp Teachers Life continues

Wersquore taking the mental health conversation into the community with our annual Talk Today

event - join us ltinsert link to news releasegt on branch websitegt

Facebook post day of event

bull One in five youth struggle with mental health issues Today wersquore encouraging conversation

about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos Facebook pageinsert CMHA branchrsquos Facebook

pagegt and Teachers Life at the annual TalkToday event Follow us for live updates at the

game ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Facebook post following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquosCMHArsquos Facebook pagegt fans and Teachers Life for making

our annual Talk Today event a success Yoursquore all a part of making positive mental health a

part of our community ltinsert photo of the gameevent if possiblegt ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

16 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

News release templateThis requires collaboration between the CMHA branch and the club Both sides need to work

together to finalize the release Most notably additional elements specific to each teamrsquos game

need to be added as do quotes and contact information from representatives from the branch

and the team

The media contact on the release should be comfortable confident and available to speak to

reporters about Talk Today and the awareness game To help with interviews a key message

document (for internal purposes only) is provided as part of this package The release should

be distributed to the teamrsquos media contacts a few days before the awareness game to spark

interest in the program and the game

3

Presented by

17CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

[Team] to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA [Branch] presented by

Teachers Life

[City Date] ndash The [club name] have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association [name of

local branch] for a mental health awareness game [date and time of game] presented by Teachers

Life when the [club name] take on the [opponent name] at [arena name]

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health

including

bull A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the

organizationrsquos community-based services

bull A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA [branch name]

bull Videos featuring [club name] players talking about the importance of mental health

bull Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA [name of local branch]

bull Mental health signs for fans to write on and show in unison at a designated stoppage in play

bull A CMHA fundraising component

This mental health awareness game is part of the [club name]rsquos ongoing partnership with CMHA

[local branch] and its Talk Today program presented by Teachers Life Originally launched by CMHA

Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014 Talk Today provides an important

opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada Through this program

over 1100 OHL players and over 400 coaches billets and staff have received mental health and

suicide prevention training across the league

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and

suicide prevention Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach who provides support

and mental health resources to individuals in need Additionally CMHA experts work with players

from the [club name] to deliver a basic in-class presentation about mental wellness to elementary

school students

ldquo[Quote from local CMHA branch using key messages provided]rdquo said [name] executive director

CEOmental health coach of CMHA [local branch]

18 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

ldquo[Quote from local team contact]rdquo said [name] [position] of the [local club]

Tickets for the game are still available starting from $[price] For ticket information contact [info

from local club]

Read more about Talk Today [link to web story]

About Teachers Life

Teachers Life is a not-for-profit federally regulated life-insurance company and North Americarsquos

largest educator-owned fraternal insurer Founded in 1939 Teachers Life offers a full suite of

personal insurance products to address the unique needs of the whole education community

including educators administrators support staff and their families Teachers Life is the first

insurance provider in Canada to underwrite life insurance products online in as little as 15 minutes

As a not-for-profit fraternal insurer community commitment is a core value for Teachers Life For

more information please visit wwwteacherslifecom

About Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario is a not-for-profit charitable organization

funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care We work to improve the lives of

all Ontarians through leadership collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-

based mental health and addictions services Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the

mental health of all people We are a trusted advisor to government contributing to health systems

development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health

Our 30 local CMHA branches together with community-based mental health and addictions service

providers across the province serve approximately 500000 Ontarians each year

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the worldrsquos

largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American

states In addition to the OHL the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and

the Western Hockey League Last season more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the

regular season playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup The CHL supplies more players to

the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league For more information visit www

ontariohockeyleaguecom

-30-

Media contacts

[name]

[title]

[CMHA local branch]

[phone number]

[email address]

[name]

[title]

[local club]

[phone number]

[email address]

19CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch key messagesThese key messages are designed for teams and CMHA branch representatives to help with

discussing Talk Today with the publicmedia By using these all parties are contributing to

consistent messaging about the program These key messages are not to be distributed publicly

Issue

CMHA branches and teams are collaborating to hold game-day events across the country

for Talk Today a project that aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise

awareness about mental health and suicide prevention

Key messages

bull Wersquore extremely grateful to partner with the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] to host a Talk

Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community

bull Talk Today provides mental health support and raises suicide awareness among the [local

team] organization and throughout [the league]

bull Members of the [local team] play leadership roles within the community and players

particularly are seen as excellent role models who positively influence young fans and their

families

bull By hosting this event the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] are helping eliminate the stigma

and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within

the community about mental health

Key messages ndash youth mental health

bull One in five youth struggles with mental health

bull In Canada suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the

ages of 10 and 24

bull In the US suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of

15 and 24

4

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 15: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

15CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Facebook

Facebook posts when news release is issued or when publicizing the event

bull Our Talk Today initiative with (the teamlocal CMHA branch) amp Teachers Life continues

Wersquore taking the mental health conversation into the community with our annual Talk Today

event - join us ltinsert link to news releasegt on branch websitegt

Facebook post day of event

bull One in five youth struggle with mental health issues Today wersquore encouraging conversation

about mentalhealth with ltinsert teamrsquos Facebook pageinsert CMHA branchrsquos Facebook

pagegt and Teachers Life at the annual TalkToday event Follow us for live updates at the

game ltinsert link to news release on branch websitegt

Facebook post following the event

bull Huge thanks to ltinsert teamrsquosCMHArsquos Facebook pagegt fans and Teachers Life for making

our annual Talk Today event a success Yoursquore all a part of making positive mental health a

part of our community ltinsert photo of the gameevent if possiblegt ltinsert link to story on

branch websitegt

16 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

News release templateThis requires collaboration between the CMHA branch and the club Both sides need to work

together to finalize the release Most notably additional elements specific to each teamrsquos game

need to be added as do quotes and contact information from representatives from the branch

and the team

The media contact on the release should be comfortable confident and available to speak to

reporters about Talk Today and the awareness game To help with interviews a key message

document (for internal purposes only) is provided as part of this package The release should

be distributed to the teamrsquos media contacts a few days before the awareness game to spark

interest in the program and the game

3

Presented by

17CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

[Team] to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA [Branch] presented by

Teachers Life

[City Date] ndash The [club name] have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association [name of

local branch] for a mental health awareness game [date and time of game] presented by Teachers

Life when the [club name] take on the [opponent name] at [arena name]

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health

including

bull A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the

organizationrsquos community-based services

bull A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA [branch name]

bull Videos featuring [club name] players talking about the importance of mental health

bull Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA [name of local branch]

bull Mental health signs for fans to write on and show in unison at a designated stoppage in play

bull A CMHA fundraising component

This mental health awareness game is part of the [club name]rsquos ongoing partnership with CMHA

[local branch] and its Talk Today program presented by Teachers Life Originally launched by CMHA

Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014 Talk Today provides an important

opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada Through this program

over 1100 OHL players and over 400 coaches billets and staff have received mental health and

suicide prevention training across the league

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and

suicide prevention Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach who provides support

and mental health resources to individuals in need Additionally CMHA experts work with players

from the [club name] to deliver a basic in-class presentation about mental wellness to elementary

school students

ldquo[Quote from local CMHA branch using key messages provided]rdquo said [name] executive director

CEOmental health coach of CMHA [local branch]

18 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

ldquo[Quote from local team contact]rdquo said [name] [position] of the [local club]

Tickets for the game are still available starting from $[price] For ticket information contact [info

from local club]

Read more about Talk Today [link to web story]

About Teachers Life

Teachers Life is a not-for-profit federally regulated life-insurance company and North Americarsquos

largest educator-owned fraternal insurer Founded in 1939 Teachers Life offers a full suite of

personal insurance products to address the unique needs of the whole education community

including educators administrators support staff and their families Teachers Life is the first

insurance provider in Canada to underwrite life insurance products online in as little as 15 minutes

As a not-for-profit fraternal insurer community commitment is a core value for Teachers Life For

more information please visit wwwteacherslifecom

About Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario is a not-for-profit charitable organization

funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care We work to improve the lives of

all Ontarians through leadership collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-

based mental health and addictions services Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the

mental health of all people We are a trusted advisor to government contributing to health systems

development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health

Our 30 local CMHA branches together with community-based mental health and addictions service

providers across the province serve approximately 500000 Ontarians each year

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the worldrsquos

largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American

states In addition to the OHL the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and

the Western Hockey League Last season more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the

regular season playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup The CHL supplies more players to

the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league For more information visit www

ontariohockeyleaguecom

-30-

Media contacts

[name]

[title]

[CMHA local branch]

[phone number]

[email address]

[name]

[title]

[local club]

[phone number]

[email address]

19CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch key messagesThese key messages are designed for teams and CMHA branch representatives to help with

discussing Talk Today with the publicmedia By using these all parties are contributing to

consistent messaging about the program These key messages are not to be distributed publicly

Issue

CMHA branches and teams are collaborating to hold game-day events across the country

for Talk Today a project that aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise

awareness about mental health and suicide prevention

Key messages

bull Wersquore extremely grateful to partner with the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] to host a Talk

Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community

bull Talk Today provides mental health support and raises suicide awareness among the [local

team] organization and throughout [the league]

bull Members of the [local team] play leadership roles within the community and players

particularly are seen as excellent role models who positively influence young fans and their

families

bull By hosting this event the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] are helping eliminate the stigma

and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within

the community about mental health

Key messages ndash youth mental health

bull One in five youth struggles with mental health

bull In Canada suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the

ages of 10 and 24

bull In the US suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of

15 and 24

4

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 16: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

16 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

News release templateThis requires collaboration between the CMHA branch and the club Both sides need to work

together to finalize the release Most notably additional elements specific to each teamrsquos game

need to be added as do quotes and contact information from representatives from the branch

and the team

The media contact on the release should be comfortable confident and available to speak to

reporters about Talk Today and the awareness game To help with interviews a key message

document (for internal purposes only) is provided as part of this package The release should

be distributed to the teamrsquos media contacts a few days before the awareness game to spark

interest in the program and the game

3

Presented by

17CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

[Team] to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA [Branch] presented by

Teachers Life

[City Date] ndash The [club name] have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association [name of

local branch] for a mental health awareness game [date and time of game] presented by Teachers

Life when the [club name] take on the [opponent name] at [arena name]

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health

including

bull A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the

organizationrsquos community-based services

bull A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA [branch name]

bull Videos featuring [club name] players talking about the importance of mental health

bull Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA [name of local branch]

bull Mental health signs for fans to write on and show in unison at a designated stoppage in play

bull A CMHA fundraising component

This mental health awareness game is part of the [club name]rsquos ongoing partnership with CMHA

[local branch] and its Talk Today program presented by Teachers Life Originally launched by CMHA

Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014 Talk Today provides an important

opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada Through this program

over 1100 OHL players and over 400 coaches billets and staff have received mental health and

suicide prevention training across the league

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and

suicide prevention Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach who provides support

and mental health resources to individuals in need Additionally CMHA experts work with players

from the [club name] to deliver a basic in-class presentation about mental wellness to elementary

school students

ldquo[Quote from local CMHA branch using key messages provided]rdquo said [name] executive director

CEOmental health coach of CMHA [local branch]

18 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

ldquo[Quote from local team contact]rdquo said [name] [position] of the [local club]

Tickets for the game are still available starting from $[price] For ticket information contact [info

from local club]

Read more about Talk Today [link to web story]

About Teachers Life

Teachers Life is a not-for-profit federally regulated life-insurance company and North Americarsquos

largest educator-owned fraternal insurer Founded in 1939 Teachers Life offers a full suite of

personal insurance products to address the unique needs of the whole education community

including educators administrators support staff and their families Teachers Life is the first

insurance provider in Canada to underwrite life insurance products online in as little as 15 minutes

As a not-for-profit fraternal insurer community commitment is a core value for Teachers Life For

more information please visit wwwteacherslifecom

About Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario is a not-for-profit charitable organization

funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care We work to improve the lives of

all Ontarians through leadership collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-

based mental health and addictions services Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the

mental health of all people We are a trusted advisor to government contributing to health systems

development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health

Our 30 local CMHA branches together with community-based mental health and addictions service

providers across the province serve approximately 500000 Ontarians each year

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the worldrsquos

largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American

states In addition to the OHL the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and

the Western Hockey League Last season more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the

regular season playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup The CHL supplies more players to

the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league For more information visit www

ontariohockeyleaguecom

-30-

Media contacts

[name]

[title]

[CMHA local branch]

[phone number]

[email address]

[name]

[title]

[local club]

[phone number]

[email address]

19CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch key messagesThese key messages are designed for teams and CMHA branch representatives to help with

discussing Talk Today with the publicmedia By using these all parties are contributing to

consistent messaging about the program These key messages are not to be distributed publicly

Issue

CMHA branches and teams are collaborating to hold game-day events across the country

for Talk Today a project that aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise

awareness about mental health and suicide prevention

Key messages

bull Wersquore extremely grateful to partner with the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] to host a Talk

Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community

bull Talk Today provides mental health support and raises suicide awareness among the [local

team] organization and throughout [the league]

bull Members of the [local team] play leadership roles within the community and players

particularly are seen as excellent role models who positively influence young fans and their

families

bull By hosting this event the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] are helping eliminate the stigma

and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within

the community about mental health

Key messages ndash youth mental health

bull One in five youth struggles with mental health

bull In Canada suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the

ages of 10 and 24

bull In the US suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of

15 and 24

4

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 17: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

Presented by

17CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

[Team] to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA [Branch] presented by

Teachers Life

[City Date] ndash The [club name] have partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association [name of

local branch] for a mental health awareness game [date and time of game] presented by Teachers

Life when the [club name] take on the [opponent name] at [arena name]

The game day experience will have several features to promote the importance of mental health

including

bull A CMHA-run kiosk on the concourse where fans can learn more about mental health and the

organizationrsquos community-based services

bull A ceremonial puck drop and photo opportunity with CMHA [branch name]

bull Videos featuring [club name] players talking about the importance of mental health

bull Public service announcements about mental health and CMHA [name of local branch]

bull Mental health signs for fans to write on and show in unison at a designated stoppage in play

bull A CMHA fundraising component

This mental health awareness game is part of the [club name]rsquos ongoing partnership with CMHA

[local branch] and its Talk Today program presented by Teachers Life Originally launched by CMHA

Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League in 2014 Talk Today provides an important

opportunity to address the mental health needs of athletes across Canada Through this program

over 1100 OHL players and over 400 coaches billets and staff have received mental health and

suicide prevention training across the league

The key piece of the Talk Today program has been to educate players about mental health and

suicide prevention Each team is also linked to a CMHA mental health coach who provides support

and mental health resources to individuals in need Additionally CMHA experts work with players

from the [club name] to deliver a basic in-class presentation about mental wellness to elementary

school students

ldquo[Quote from local CMHA branch using key messages provided]rdquo said [name] executive director

CEOmental health coach of CMHA [local branch]

18 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

ldquo[Quote from local team contact]rdquo said [name] [position] of the [local club]

Tickets for the game are still available starting from $[price] For ticket information contact [info

from local club]

Read more about Talk Today [link to web story]

About Teachers Life

Teachers Life is a not-for-profit federally regulated life-insurance company and North Americarsquos

largest educator-owned fraternal insurer Founded in 1939 Teachers Life offers a full suite of

personal insurance products to address the unique needs of the whole education community

including educators administrators support staff and their families Teachers Life is the first

insurance provider in Canada to underwrite life insurance products online in as little as 15 minutes

As a not-for-profit fraternal insurer community commitment is a core value for Teachers Life For

more information please visit wwwteacherslifecom

About Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario is a not-for-profit charitable organization

funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care We work to improve the lives of

all Ontarians through leadership collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-

based mental health and addictions services Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the

mental health of all people We are a trusted advisor to government contributing to health systems

development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health

Our 30 local CMHA branches together with community-based mental health and addictions service

providers across the province serve approximately 500000 Ontarians each year

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the worldrsquos

largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American

states In addition to the OHL the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and

the Western Hockey League Last season more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the

regular season playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup The CHL supplies more players to

the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league For more information visit www

ontariohockeyleaguecom

-30-

Media contacts

[name]

[title]

[CMHA local branch]

[phone number]

[email address]

[name]

[title]

[local club]

[phone number]

[email address]

19CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch key messagesThese key messages are designed for teams and CMHA branch representatives to help with

discussing Talk Today with the publicmedia By using these all parties are contributing to

consistent messaging about the program These key messages are not to be distributed publicly

Issue

CMHA branches and teams are collaborating to hold game-day events across the country

for Talk Today a project that aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise

awareness about mental health and suicide prevention

Key messages

bull Wersquore extremely grateful to partner with the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] to host a Talk

Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community

bull Talk Today provides mental health support and raises suicide awareness among the [local

team] organization and throughout [the league]

bull Members of the [local team] play leadership roles within the community and players

particularly are seen as excellent role models who positively influence young fans and their

families

bull By hosting this event the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] are helping eliminate the stigma

and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within

the community about mental health

Key messages ndash youth mental health

bull One in five youth struggles with mental health

bull In Canada suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the

ages of 10 and 24

bull In the US suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of

15 and 24

4

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 18: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

18 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

ldquo[Quote from local team contact]rdquo said [name] [position] of the [local club]

Tickets for the game are still available starting from $[price] For ticket information contact [info

from local club]

Read more about Talk Today [link to web story]

About Teachers Life

Teachers Life is a not-for-profit federally regulated life-insurance company and North Americarsquos

largest educator-owned fraternal insurer Founded in 1939 Teachers Life offers a full suite of

personal insurance products to address the unique needs of the whole education community

including educators administrators support staff and their families Teachers Life is the first

insurance provider in Canada to underwrite life insurance products online in as little as 15 minutes

As a not-for-profit fraternal insurer community commitment is a core value for Teachers Life For

more information please visit wwwteacherslifecom

About Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario is a not-for-profit charitable organization

funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care We work to improve the lives of

all Ontarians through leadership collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-

based mental health and addictions services Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the

mental health of all people We are a trusted advisor to government contributing to health systems

development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health

Our 30 local CMHA branches together with community-based mental health and addictions service

providers across the province serve approximately 500000 Ontarians each year

About the Ontario Hockey League

The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the worldrsquos

largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American

states In addition to the OHL the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and

the Western Hockey League Last season more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the

regular season playoffs and at the Mastercard Memorial Cup The CHL supplies more players to

the National Hockey League and U Sports than any other league For more information visit www

ontariohockeyleaguecom

-30-

Media contacts

[name]

[title]

[CMHA local branch]

[phone number]

[email address]

[name]

[title]

[local club]

[phone number]

[email address]

19CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch key messagesThese key messages are designed for teams and CMHA branch representatives to help with

discussing Talk Today with the publicmedia By using these all parties are contributing to

consistent messaging about the program These key messages are not to be distributed publicly

Issue

CMHA branches and teams are collaborating to hold game-day events across the country

for Talk Today a project that aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise

awareness about mental health and suicide prevention

Key messages

bull Wersquore extremely grateful to partner with the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] to host a Talk

Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community

bull Talk Today provides mental health support and raises suicide awareness among the [local

team] organization and throughout [the league]

bull Members of the [local team] play leadership roles within the community and players

particularly are seen as excellent role models who positively influence young fans and their

families

bull By hosting this event the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] are helping eliminate the stigma

and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within

the community about mental health

Key messages ndash youth mental health

bull One in five youth struggles with mental health

bull In Canada suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the

ages of 10 and 24

bull In the US suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of

15 and 24

4

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 19: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

19CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

CMHA branch key messagesThese key messages are designed for teams and CMHA branch representatives to help with

discussing Talk Today with the publicmedia By using these all parties are contributing to

consistent messaging about the program These key messages are not to be distributed publicly

Issue

CMHA branches and teams are collaborating to hold game-day events across the country

for Talk Today a project that aims to promote the mental health of young athletes and raise

awareness about mental health and suicide prevention

Key messages

bull Wersquore extremely grateful to partner with the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] to host a Talk

Today event to increase public awareness and to promote mental health in this community

bull Talk Today provides mental health support and raises suicide awareness among the [local

team] organization and throughout [the league]

bull Members of the [local team] play leadership roles within the community and players

particularly are seen as excellent role models who positively influence young fans and their

families

bull By hosting this event the [local teamlocal CMHA branch] are helping eliminate the stigma

and discrimination associated with mental health issues and encouraging discussion within

the community about mental health

Key messages ndash youth mental health

bull One in five youth struggles with mental health

bull In Canada suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people between the

ages of 10 and 24

bull In the US suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of

15 and 24

4

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 20: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

20 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Key messages ndash stigma discrimination and mental health

bull The stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues often keep people from

seeking the help they need when they need it most

bull Nearly 60 per cent of youth 25 and under treated for a mental illness in the past year

reported being affected by the impact of stigma

bull This Talk Today event aims to combat stigma by starting a conversation around mental

health and encouraging young people to seek help when they need it

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 21: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

21CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Talk Today awareness games are an opportunity to destigmatize issues related to mental

health and suicide prevention By hosting games dedicated to Talk Today the participating

clubs and branches are playing a key role in mental health promotion activities for the benefit

of the community at large

CMHA hopes this game-day guide provides sufficient guidance for participating teams and

branches to host successful events in their communities

Summary

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 22: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

22 CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

scorattiontariocmhaca

Presented by

Page 23: Game-day guide - CMHA Ontario · 2020-01-13 · Talk Today // Game-day guide. 13. Activities. Timeline Channel Activities Week before event. Twitter • Promote the event on Twitter

23CMHA Talk Today Game-day guide

Contact

For more information contact

Alex Salomie

Talk Today Program and Communications Manager

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel 416-977-5580 Ext 4129 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

asalomieontariocmhaca

Stephanie Coratti

Communications and Engagement Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario

Tel (416) 977-5580 Ext 4146 or Toll Free 1-800-875-6213

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