(The Milton Menace warm up during a game in 2019)
The OJHL Foundation is taking part in its First Assist Program this weekend.
It was created in 2018 to support mental health, life skills and wellness for players at the junior level. Previous seasons’ training sessions were held in-person at home rinks of OJHL teams and during the league’s annual Governor’s Showcase event in Buffalo.
With COVID-19 being a factor this year, the program will take place virtually. Training for all 500-plus players on all 22-team OJHL clubs will be provided by three professional facilitators through the program. OJHL team staff members are also encouraged to take part in the program with their players.
“The mental wellness of our players has always been a top priority of the OJHL and is a major reason why in 2018 that our Foundation went to industry experts to develop a mental wellness program designed specifically for Junior aged hockey players,” said OJHL Commissioner Marty Savoy. “With the program being created for the OJHL by industry experts it allowed the Foundation to work with these individuals to re-develop the program to allow for the virtual delivery during COVID-19. This will allow for all players to access the program regardless of the COVID-19 restrictions in the area they are located in.”
The 1.5-hour sessions will include interactive discussions with the sessions designed as team-building exercise and will be delivered completely virtual, topics will include:
- A review of mental health and mental health issues;
- Coping with isolation, loneliness and stress during COVID-19, with a focus on social media;
- Reaching out for support while distanced;
- Checking in with friends;
- Where can you go for help.
