B.C. Hockey League and Canadian Mental Health Association launch new mental health program

Hockey and mental health advocates in British Columbiahave partnered to develop what's being described as the most comprehensive mental health program for amateur sportin Canada.

On Tuesday the Canadian Mental Health Association and the B.C. Hockey Leagueannounced their new initiative,Talk Today, whichoffers confidential support to players in need.

"It's really about taking down, taking away that shame and the stigma so that young people can reach out for help," said Canadian Mental Health Association CEO BevGutray.

Player speaks out

The toll that thewins, losses, and the pressures of hockey can take is something hockey player Myles Mattila, 16, is familiar with.

The powerful forward andleading scorer wasdrafted last year by the Vancouver Giants.

"I want to let as many people as possible know they have resources and they are not alone," saidMattila.

A couple of yearsago, whenMattilawas only 14, herecognized something was wrong with one of his teammates, who was eventually diagnosed with depression.

"It wasn'tjust a bad hockey game," saidMattila. "It was something inside that wasreally bothering him. So, that's when I realized he needed to get help."

Mattila's story isn't much different than that of his idol, KevinBieksa. The former VancouverCanucknow Anaheim Duckregularly speaks of mental illness in memory of RickRypien.

Rypienhad a history of depression. He was found dead in his home just weeks before he played his first game with the Winnipeg Jets.

• Bieksa, NHL players honour Rypien 1 year after former Canuck's death
• Canucks honour Rypien with video, donation
• NHLer Rypien remembered at funeral

Since Mattilahelped his friend, hehas been a spokesmanfor mental health awareness in the league.

"I'm encouraging everyone, especially youth, to talk about the subject," saidMattila.

Culture of silence

Amateur hockey insiders know the kind of support Mattila offered his friend isn'twhat usually happenswhen teammates appear to be struggling.

"There is a culture that has existed for years that doesn't make it okay to talk about that stress," said Rob DeClark, chairman ofBCHL's Player Support Program.

"In fact, you might get scratched."

In one month of operation, the minor league program has already had calls from four players.