PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH CONVERSATIONS

MANITOBA MOOSE COMMUNITY

THE FIRST MANITOBA MOOSE P11 SCHOOL DAY GAME WAS HELD LAST MONTH. SO, HERE’S A REMINDER THAT THE SECOND OF TWO PROJECT 11 SCHOOL DAY GAMES WILL FACE OFF ON MARCH 19

BY PAYTON ROBINSON

Photos courtesy True North Sports & Entertainment

Melissa Frizado, Grade 4 teacher at Christ the King School

In November, the Manitoba Moose hosted their first of two Project 11 School Day Games this season, providing a unique opportunity for students to explore mental health beyond the classroom while embracing their inner fan.

Schools from all over Winnipeg and across the province joined forces to cheer on the Moose and engage in a non-traditional learning experience centred around mental health awareness. The Moose partnered with the True North Youth Foundation’s (TNYF) school-based mental wellness program, Project 11 to deliver the game with the help of Project 11 ambassador and radio personality Ace Burpee as gameday host.

“It’s amazing to see Canada Life Centre full of kids who have now become part of the mental wellness conversation through this game,” said Suzi Friesen, Director of Educational Programs with the TNYF. “It just shows how much the conversation is growing among youth, and that’s really important for their long-term success, to know that mental health needs to be prioritized just as much as physical health.”

With a turnout of nearly 7,000 kids and teachers representing 73 schools, daycares, and exchange programs the event garnered anticipation and excitement from attendees such as Melissa Frizado and her Grade 4 class from Christ the King School.

“These kids have had the game circled on their calendar for weeks,” said Frizado, who has been teaching Project 11 for three years. “With these events, it shows the kids that mental health is not confined to our classroom discussions, but it is talked about in their community and province.”

Through videos, Moose players shared how they prioritize their mental health and P11 promoted self-care, while the Zumba movement break during intermission showed just how easy it is to add a mental wellness strategy to students’ toolboxes. For those already engaged in Project 11, like Frizado’s students, the game presented a chance to build even more community around the topic of mental health. Those new to the conversation, like classrooms from John M. King School, also took away valuable concepts and messages.

“My kids loved the Zumba at intermission,” said John M. King phys. ed. teacher, Jordana Etkin. “It really teaches them the importance of a simple way to boost our overall mental health, and it’s something I could do as well.”

Etkin sees great value in teaching kids the benefits of talking openly about mental wellness and looks forward to integrating those conversations and lessons into her classroom more regularly through P11. The Moose P11 game provided an excellent introduction to self-care strategies and emphasized the importance of mental well-being for her students.

“I think teaching mental health is really important, and as a phys. ed. teacher, it aligns nicely with my curriculum,” said Etkin. “It’s a big challenge for some of our kids, especially those in underserved areas facing various issues such as poverty, socioeconomic status and trauma. So, I believe it's crucial that they have the skills and strategies to move forward, and Project 11 is a great way to incorporate this easily in a classroom.”

Designed to be easily integrated into the regular classroom curriculum, Project 11 is free to all Manitoba educators and is currently accessed by more than 88,000 students in over 525 Manitoba schools. The program offers resources in both English and French for early and middle years students, with several more classes engaged in the ongoing high school curriculum pilot.

“For anyone wanting to learn more about what Project 11 can look like in the classroom, the Moose P11 game provides an excellent glimpse into some of the amazing conversations that can be had when students are provided with a safe and encouraging space where they can share their feelings and emotions,” said Friesen. “Life is filled with inevitable obstacles, making it crucial to initiate discussions about mental health from a young age and continue building on that foundation.”

To be part of the next P11 School Day Game on March 19, learn more at MooseHockey.com/schooldaygame.

Published 6 times per year by The Davis Media Company, GAME ON is the go-to place for all things hockey in Manitoba, from the NHL’s top names to the newest talented young prospects. Must-read features, compelling profiles, in-depth interviews with the players and coaches, and all the latest news about Manitoba’s dynamic hockey stars on the ice and in the community.

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