The OHL (Ontario Hockey League) has made a play for suicide prevention. It’s not the typical plays you see on the ice. Although off ice it’s being used by sports teams across the country.
safeTALK is part of a strategic suicide prevention program the OHL has rolled out to all of its players. safeTALK creates an offense against the threat of suicide.
Whether players are battling a mental health issue, disappointment about missed expectations, or an identity crisis as to who they are when they hang up their skates, safeTALK is helping players band together to know how to support one another if a teammate is struggling with thoughts of suicide.
ASIST is the “apple” of the play. In addition to safeTALK some OHL staff are also trained in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. This means, if someone is struggling with the threat of suicide an ASIST-trained caregiver can come alongside them and assist them to safety by working together to help build a safeplan.
The video above shares the first hand impressions of OHL coaches and players about the safeTALK workshop.