As part of a league wide initiative, the Washington Capitals will be hosting Hockey Talks night on January 16th at Capital One Arena, in partnership with MedStar Health, to raise awareness and help end the stigma around mental health.
Other teams around the NHL that have pledged to take part or hosted their own Hockey Talks night are the Arizona Coyotes, Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, and the Ottawa Senators.
As the Capitals host the New Jersey Devils tonight, fans will be able to find activations related to mental health, including PSAs and an AFSP informational table on the 200-level concourse.
The Capitals are partnering with @MedStarHealth to host their first #HockeyTalks Mental Health Awareness Night tonight. Join us to raise awareness and help end the stigma around mental health.
More Information: https://t.co/nHfSSWpnSp pic.twitter.com/D2nXCT33x6
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 16, 2020
According to the Hockey Talks page, the initiative “began in 2013, following the tragic passing of Canucks player Rick Rypien in 2011. Rick was a hockey hero, a son, a brother, a teammate, and a friend. Rick’s wish was to support others and help reduce the stigma associated with mental illness by being a spokesperson for this issue.”
Several members of the Capitals organization showed their support for Hockey Talks on their own social media, including Lars Eller, Garnet Hathaway, Radko Gudas, and Captain.
Join us to help end the stigma of talking about mental health. #hockeytalkshttps://t.co/fUPmTmOpMF pic.twitter.com/JyM3fNIAxU
— Garnet Hathaway (@GarnetHathaway) January 16, 2020
Together we can keep the conversation going. Tonight we work to end the stigma. #hockeytalkshttps://t.co/6Smfq2xBHv pic.twitter.com/DDaYAsZidW
— radko gudas (@radkogudas) January 16, 2020
tonight is @Capitals #HockeyTalks mental health awareness night and when i grow up, i will transform the life of a veteran or first responder in need through @AmericasVetDogs ❤️ pic.twitter.com/GULNMpH9GD
— Captain (@CapsPup) January 16, 2020
The Capitals and MedStar Health also hosted a Hockey Talks panel called Talk Saves Lives™ on January 9th, in conjunction with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Last week we hosted our first ever #HockeyTalks presentation and panel with @medstarhealth called Talk Saves Lives.
Together we can help end the stigma around mental health. pic.twitter.com/o7XHxGzyau
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 16, 2020
Capitals fans can show their support for Hockey Talks by printing and filling out their own sign to advocate for and raise awareness around mental health.
Headline photo: @radkogudas
