TORONTO, ON – As Canadians recognize Mental Health Week, the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) and Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario Division are celebrating the successful completion of the first season of the Talk Today pilot program in minor hockey.
Launched for the 2025-26 season, the pilot brought mental health education and awareness programming to young athletes in the GTHL, with age-appropriate content designed to help players better understand mental health, build resilience, and recognize the impact of stress in their daily lives.
Originally developed by CMHA Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Talk Today was adapted through the GTHL partnership to support players at the minor hockey level. The pilot focused on athletes in the Under-12 to U15 age groups and reflected the shared commitment of both organizations to supporting the well-being of young participants on and off the ice.
In its first season, the program was delivered across three GTHL associations:
- Scarborough Young Bruins – U15 and U12, 30 participants
- Ted Reeve Thunder – U12 and U14, 27 participants
- Toronto Eagles – U12 and U13, 19 participants
In total, 76 players and 32 adults took part in the pilot, for a total of 108 participants.
Survey results were collected from players only, with one participating team not included in the survey process. As a result, findings are based on responses from 66 players.
The results highlight the impact of the program:
- 85 per cent of participants reported feeling confident (“Mostly” or “A lot”) in recognizing when stress is affecting them emotionally and physically.
- 82 per cent of participants indicated confidence in applying what they learned in real-life situations.
- 83 per cent of participants reported being satisfied (“Mostly” or “A lot”) with the training.
These early outcomes demonstrate encouraging progress in helping young athletes build awareness, confidence, and practical mental health skills through hockey-based education.
“The success of the first season of this pilot reflects the importance of creating spaces where young athletes can learn about mental health in ways that are relevant, accessible, and meaningful,” said GTHL Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Scott Oakman. “By introducing these conversations early, we are helping players develop tools that support both their performance and their overall well-being, within and away from the game.”
“We’re grateful for the GTHL’s ongoing leadership and efforts to support mental health education for youth,” said CMHA Ontario CEO Camille Quenneville. “Meeting young people where they’re at and using the game to drive meaningful conversations can have a powerful impact on increasing mental health awareness.”
Following the completion of the first season, the GTHL and CMHA Ontario will continue to evaluate the pilot and explore opportunities for future growth and expansion.
ABOUT CMHA ONTARIO
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario is a not-for-profit, charitable organization. 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 27 local CMHA branches, together with community-based mental health and addictions service providers across the province, serve thousands of Ontarians each year.
ABOUT THE GREATER TORONTO HOCKEY LEAGUE
Founded in 1911, the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) is a non-profit organization, home to more than 30 community recreational programs and the largest minor hockey league in the world. The GTHL registers more than 30,000 annual participants in Markham, Mississauga, Toronto, and Vaughan. The purpose of the GTHL is to empower, innovate, and provide hockey experiences that foster growth, inclusion, and excellence for all participants, while providing an enriching, equitable, and inclusive environment that benefits all members and the broader community.
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Media Contacts:
Stephanie Coratti
Director, Strategy and Communications
Greater Toronto Hockey League
Elham Bidgoli
Director, Communications
Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
[email protected]
