The Knights of Meaford have partnered with the Grey County Junior Farmers and the Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce for a mental health awareness game on Thursday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m.
‘Country Night for Mental Health’, presented by Grey County Federation of Agriculture, Holmes Agro, and Bayside Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, is a chance to bring representatives from the farming community together with information, services, and supports available as well as a chance to fundraise vital funds for community programs. This is the 2nd annual such game after a highly successful ‘Break the Ice’ game in 2022. At that time, $4,500 was raised for CMHA Grey Bruce and its programs.
The game day experience will have several features including:
• A CMHA booth where fans can learn more about mental health and the organization’s community based services
• A Grey County Junior Farmer booth with information about membership, events, and benefits of joining JFAO
• A ceremonial puck drop with game sponsors and partners and local community mental health champions
• Intermission contests, 50/50, and a ‘penny’ table raffle
• Post-game Jersey Auction featuring the special edition ‘Country Night for Mental Health’ Knights of Meaford jerseys (shown in game day poster) of green plaid and overalls.
In September 2022, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture announced Agriculture Wellness Ontario, a suite of programs designed to ensure farmers are getting mental health support when and where they need it. Agriculture Wellness Ontario programs currently include the Farmer Wellness Initiative, a free individual counselling service; The Guardian Network, a volunteer suicide-prevention network; and, In the Know, a mental health literacy workshop tailored to the agriculture community. Information about these programs will be available on game night.
“Hockey is a big part of many farming communities. And we know that these communities experience many different daily stresses. These games are an incredible awareness tool for us in terms of increasing our capacity to reach out to the community with information about the new Agriculture Wellness Ontario programs as well as other services, resources, and supports available to them. It’s also a chance to literally fill the arena with messaging about the importance of prioritizing our mental health. It is also a source of much-needed funds to keep our community-funded programs running at full capacity,” said Jackie Ralph, Youth Awareness and Education Supervisor, CMHA Grey Bruce.
All proceeds from the ‘Country Night for Mental Health’ game will support the community work of the Grey County Junior Farmers and the Youth Awareness programs of CMHA Grey Bruce.
For information about the Knights of Meaford Jr “A” Hockey Club, please visit meafordknights.ca.
