Sarnia Sting 2019-20 (Photo courtesy of Metcalfe Photography)Sarnia Sting 2019-20 (Photo courtesy of Metcalfe Photography)
Sarnia

Sting, CMHA partner for mental health

Mental health awareness will be highlighted at Sunday's Sarnia Sting hockey game.

The OHL team has partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Lambton-Kent for its "Talk Today" campaign.

The association will have kiosks set up on the concourse, and there will be videos of the players talking about the importance of psychological and emotional wellbeing.

Sarah Aberhart is the Sting's Mental Health Coach. She said the team has also been vocal about the topic in the community.

"For the last three years, we've been at London Road Public School in the grade 7 and 8 classroom with the Sting players," said Aberhart. "It's just been such a valuable experience to have them talk about their mental health, how it effects them, and how great it is to have support. They are really encouraging to the young students in the classroom."

Aberhart said mental health is as important as physical health to an athlete.

"We just really open up the opportunities for them to have someone to talk to, someone to connect to, and someone they can have that private conversation with that's outside of the dressing room and outside of the coaches. It's nice for them to know that they're also supported elsewhere."

On the ice, the Sting will be facing the Kitchener Rangers for the first time at home this season.

You can hear the game on 103.9 FM CHOK beginning with the pregame show at 3:35 p.m.

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