The Greater Toronto Hockey League, in partnership with Movember, is offering workshops for coaches to better understand mental health among athletes ahead of the 2022-2023 season. Movember: Breaking the Ice is available on two different dates. The first workshop will be held on Tuesday, August 23 at 7pm. The second will be held on Thursday, August 25 at 7pm.
Breaking the Ice helps coaches understand, recognize, and manage mental health issues among their athletes. In the program, coaches will gain important skills and knowledge that underpin youth mental health. It also ensures coaches have the tools and resources to provide support for young athletes.
In this 90-minute Zoom Workshop, coaches will be taken through the Movember: Breaking the Ice program content, including various conversation points, team exercises, breakout rooms, and group discussion. This session will help coaches recognize the warning signs of mental health issues among young athletes. Coaches will learn how to start a conversation about mental health with players or parents. Upon concluding the session, coaches will also have a deeper understanding of the support channels available to them.
Coaches will receive three professional development points for attending the session. Attendance will be taken during the session. The Zoom link to the session will be sent out 24 hours in advance of the online workshop. Each session is limited to 10 coaches.
“When I was 27, I went through a very tough time in regards to my mental health and I was put in a position where I had to step away from coaching the game I love. Through my journey, I realized that the key to my success was first recognizing the support system I had in my family and friends, but also that I needed to add to that very group. I was able to do so and I now have the tools to navigate trying times,” Nathan Judd-Warren, Head Coach of the Scarborough Young Bruins Under-12 AA team and participant in Breaking the Ice, shared following the workshop. “Having participated in the Movember: Breaking the Ice seminar, I feel as though I have added to my support group. They provide a safe place for coaches, parents, and players alike to speak about mental health. I feel even more equipped to have open and honest discussions about mental health with my players.”
“Thank you to everyone at Movember and to those who are driving the conversation forward,” Judd-Warren concluded.
REGISTER:
- Tuesday, August 23 at 7pm: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
- Thursday, August 25 at 7pm: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
About Breaking the Ice
Breaking the Ice uses hockey to teach athletes, parents, and coaches how to talk about mental health. The program reviews how to recognize mental health issues, what to do and when to get help. Athletes learn how to build resilience and overcome challenges in hockey and life. Learn more at breakingtheice.ca.
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