Winnipeg, MB – September 10, 2025 – The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Across Manitoba is calling on Manitobans to come together to prevent suicide, strengthen recovery pathways, and expand safe supports for youth and youth athletes.
This September, CMHA is launching Power Play for Mental Health. Just as a power play can shift the outcome of a game, Talk Today is our power play against youth suicide—ensuring every conversation matters, and no conversation is missed when it matters most.
This year also marks a milestone: 10 years of Talk Today in Manitoba. Since 2015, the program has equipped the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL) young athletes, coaches, and league staff with suicide prevention training, mental health education, and access to trusted mentors and champions. Both leagues have created a culture of curiosity to develop knowledge and skills to respond the mental health challenges teams face each season.
The urgency is clear. Suicide is the leading cause of death among Manitoba youth ages 10 to 17. The province’s suicide rate is 13.9 per 100,000, above the national average of 10.9, while Indigenous peoples face rates 4.6 times higher than non-Indigenous populations.
“Together, we can prevent suicide and build recovery pathways across Manitoba,” says Stephen Sutherland, MA, Fund Development Manager. “Our mission is to advance mental health, well-being, and recovery across the province, with a vision of Manitoba where mental health is honoured as a universal human right. And we can only achieve this with your support.”
The Power Play for Mental Health campaign is CMHA Across Manitoba’s umbrella initiative to prevent suicide, strengthen recovery, and expand supports for youth. Within this campaign, the hockey-focused Goals Beyond the Game initiative, delivered in partnership with the MJHL and Manitoba Blue Cross, will be unveiled later this month, including a special highlight during MJHL Opening Night on September 19, 2025.
CMHA Across Manitoba emphasizes that suicide prevention isn’t just for players—it’s for families, fans, and communities too. Everyone has a role to play: in the stands, in the streets, and in everyday life.
Manitobans can learn more, get involved, or donate by visiting: cmhaacrossmb.ca/talk-today
The State of Mental Health in Canada 2024
Today and every day, if you or someone you care about is struggling, reach out to these resources:
Phone: 988 | National Suicide Prevention line 24/7
Text: 686868 | Phone: 1.800.668.6868 | Kids Help Phone Line 24/7
Suicide Education and Resources | Winnipeg Suicide Prevention Network
Website: reasontolive.ca
Phone: 1.877.435.7170 | Winnipeg Suicide Prevention and Support Line
About CMHA Across Manitoba
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Manitoba and Winnipeg is part of a national federated charity that provides advocacy and services that aim to promote mental health, help prevent mental health and substance use health problems, support recovery and resilience and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive. CMHA Manitoba and Winnipeg serves as both the provincial and divisional office and branch for Winnipeg and Interlake Eastern regions.
CMHA Across Manitoba includes: CMHA Manitoba and Winnipeg, CMHA Swan Valley Branch (Swan River, Dauphin, The Pas and Portage la Prairie), and CMHA Thompson Region with services delivered at 24 sites across Manitoba.
For media inquiries:
Kristen Lucyshyn, Communications and Marketing Lead
CMHA Manitoba and Winnipeg
Email: klucyshyn@cmhawpg.mb.ca Phone: 204-982-6104