The Chatham Maroons are once again suiting up to combat the stigma surrounding mental health.
The Junior B hockey team will host a Mental Health Awareness Game this weekend when they take on the St. Thomas Stars at Memorial Arena.
Organized by the Mental Health Table, the game will feature activities designed to raise awareness and foster community engagement, including a special auction of unique green jerseys worn by the Maroons during warm-ups. A moment of silence will be held as a tribute to anyone struggling with their mental health, and everyone is also encouraged to wear the colour green to show their support.
While progress has been made to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health, Mental Health Table Chair Cathy DeBresser Knowler said there is still a long way to go.
“There are a lot of people that still feel that, if I say there’s something going on and I’m struggling, [it means] I’m weak, I can’t do my job, I can’t be a good parent, and people feel judged,” she said.
All proceeds from the sale of the jerseys will support mental health literacy programming through the Face Off for Mental Health initiative.
The partnership between the hockey club and the Mental Health Table began in December 2023 when they first teamed up to create a commercial promoting the BeSafe app, a tool designed to connect people to local mental health resources quickly and easily
According to the Mental Health Table, one in three people has struggled with mental health challenges since the pandemic, including parents, coaches, and fans.
“Just talking about it helps people know that [they’re] not alone here. And that’s how we do it, so people know they don’t need to struggle in silence,” said DeBresser Knowler.
The Mental Health Awareness Game will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, at Memorial Arena.
