Children’s Mental Health Week Activities Include Clint Malarchuk

Waterloo, April 6, 2017 - Former NHL goaltender turned mental health advocate, Clint Malarchuk comes to Waterloo Region on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, as part of Children’s Mental Health Week.

Imagine the stress of being an NHL goalie, battling slap shots for your team and thousands of fans on the ice, while battling anxiety, depression and PTSD off the ice. Clint Malarchuk doesn’t have to imagine it, he lived it.

Clint Malarchuk, whose career saw him play goal for the Quebec Nordiques, Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres, had undiagnosed mental illnesses as a youth that escalated over time into long battle with alcoholism and his attempt to end his life. Today, he shares his extraordinary and heart wrenching life story in his relentless effort to end the stigma of mental illness and offer hope to others. His devoted wife Joanie, joins him to share her perspective as witness to his darkest hours, and his steadfast rock and caregiver through some long and difficult years. Clint and Joanie will be joined by emcee Gary Doyle.

“Clint Malarchuk has been described as brave and heroic for sharing his life’s story,” said Chris Sellers, Director of Director, Marketing & Communications at Lutherwood. “We are very fortunate to welcome Clint and Joanie to Waterloo Region so that we may better understand mental illness, its impact on loved ones, and how we can better support those who need help.”

Sponsored by Lutherwood, Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council and Camino, tickets are only $10 and his book The Crazy Game will be available for autographs in limited quantities.

Join us at Bingemans by registering on Eventbrite http://bit.ly/2mLVzx0.

Other events during Children’s Mental Health Week:

SafeTalk Workshop for Parents and Caregivers - SOLD OUT
Tuesday, May 2, 2017 from 5:30pm to 9:00pm
Lutherwood, 285 Benjamin Road, Waterloo

A half-day suicide-awareness workshop intended to help parents and caregivers notice signs where suicide thoughts might be present and respond to invitations for help. This workshop is offered at a discounted rate of $25. Limit of 30. Register at: http://bit.ly/2mWnvKB

Room to Breathe: Mindfulness Movie and Panel Discussion
Thursday May 4, 7:00-8:30 pm
Kitchener Public Library, 85 Queen St N, Kitchener

Room to Breathe, a movie about mindfulness helping students in a challenging school environment, will be followed by a panel discussing their successes with mindfulness and practices that parents/caregivers can try at home. Free admission. Limited seating. Register on Eventbrite at: http://bit.ly/2nfNy0x

Lutherwood is a not-for-profit health and social service organization that supports youth with mental health issues, people at risk of being homeless, workers looking for employment and families in need of counselling. Its services are accessed by more than 16,600 people annually in Waterloo Region and Wellington County.

Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council is a non-profit, voluntary council comprised of 17 representatives from Waterloo Region. The Council promotes a community-wide strategy to reduce the incidence of suicidal behavior through public awareness, education, skill development, and public health advocacy, and strives to reduce the impact of suicidal behavior through the improvement of services, collection of local statistical data and through community consultation, co-ordination, and collaboration.

Camino Family and Community Services specializes in children’s mental health, youth engagement and development, family violence services, individual and family counselling, parental support and education, credit counselling, workplace resilience, settlement support and community wellness.

Media Contacts:

Tana Nash
Executive Director, Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council
519-884-1470 ext. 2143

Chris Sellers
Director, Marketing & Communications, Lutherwood
519-707-1958 ext. 1237