Guelph Storm defenceman Garrett McFadden has started a charity to address mental illness with young athletes.
“What we’re trying to get across is teaching young athletes, who are getting into higher intensity Sports, about the importance of knowing what it’s like to experience mental illness … or to know what to do if they see a teammate or someone they know who is struggling with mental illness,” McFadden said.
In an interview one day prior to World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10, he said he has learned alot about mental illness over the years.
“I’ve experienced a lot through my own experiences and watching people around me,” McFadden said.
“I’m getting older and played a lot of years in the OHL. I think I have enough experience and enough stories to be able to talk to younger athletes and share what I have experienced.”
The initiative, McFadden’s Movement, will take McFadden to speak to various minor Sports teams.
“Basically I’ll come out and give my talk, tell a little about myself, what I’ve experienced and teach kids about the severity of mental health,” McFadden explained.
“And then if they want I’ll come out and do a practice with them and hang out and talk to all the kids.”
Geared towards minor athletes, McFadden’s Movement hopes to make a connection and discuss mental health, working to eliminate the stigma surrounding athletes and mental health, starting at the grass roots level.
The 19-year-old Kincardine native and four-season Guelph Storm veteran had an experience with mental illness early in his teens.
“When I was in Grade 9 a family friend had taken his own life,” McFadden said. “It was something that was definitely pretty shocking and it was something that really seemed difficult to talk about.
“But over the course of the time dealing with that situation I learned a lot about how important it is to talk to people about what you’re feeling and how serious mental health issues can be and how easily they can be pushed under the rug and not talked about.”
The event, as well as challenges he’s faced as a hockey player, have shaped McFadden’s views about suicide awareness and mental health.
“Having someone like Garrett McFadden, who is a role mode to youth and children, speak out about the importance of positive mental health and suicide awareness is incredibly impactful,” said Fred Wagner, executive director of Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington Dufferin in a press release.
“The more we talk about suicide awareness and mental health the more lives will be saved.”
World Suicide Prevention Day is presented annually by the International Association for Suicide Prevention to spread awareness and break the silence about suicide.
To book McFadden contact Stephanie Coratti, community relations coordinator for the Guelph Storm Hockey Club, at 519-837-9690 ext. 104 or scoratti@guelphstorm.com.
