Creating a conversation
TSN’s Dan O’Toole, former CFLer Gabe Robinson on hand for annual Friday Night Lights benefit for Team 55 mental health cause
The success of Team 55 Let’s Tackle Suicide Awareness is a community success, those at the Friday Night Lights fundraiser heard.
“Peterborough is a city on the map but it’s events like this that make it a community,” said TSN personality and Peterborough native Dan O’Toole, guest speaker at the fifth annual event attended by 1,000 people at Thomas A. Stewart Athletic Field Friday night.
Organizers hope to raise more than $10,000 for Team 55 to put towards two local initiatives -the Canadian Mental Health Association’s assertive outreach assistance program and Your Family Health Network’s youth sports concussion program.
Since its formation in 2013, Team 55 has raised more than $450,000 for local mental health initiatives.
“It’s not surprising at all,” said Team 55 founder Dave Pogue. “It’s what living in Peterborough is all about. This is why I love this city. Team 55 was born out of tragedy and this will help others avoid going through what we went through. It was a will shared by many.”
Team 55 has created a conversation in Peterborough where people are no longer ashamed to admit they need help, that there is hope and help available.
O’Toole said there isn’t a single person who doesn’t struggle at some point in life.
“I’ve been to a therapist. I call it my brain doctor,” O’Toole said. “For me to admit that 20 years ago would have been embarrassing and you would have been ashamed.”
He says he tells his children mental health is as important as physical health.
“You go to a doctor for your body; why wouldn’t you go to a doctor for your brain,” he said.
Help can be as simple as having someone to talk to. O’Toole had to pause to collect himself when relaying a story about his sister calling a friend out of concern.
“Her friend had a gun in her mouth when she called her,” O’Toole said. “She saved her friend’s life by one phone call. That’s how easy it is just communicate.”
CMHA’s Tracy Graham said Team 55 funds helped hire three assertive outreach assistance workers who work with people who have attempted suicide.
Since the program started in June 2016 they have worked with 65 people.
“I can tell you today that they are all still with us,” Graham said.
The program provides intensive support to the person and their family creating a safe space for conversation and connecting them to proper support networks.
“To move them from a place of wanting to end their lives to a place of being open to looking at reasons to live,” Graham said.
Your Family Health Network executive director Laura Kennedy said the youth sports concussion program is working to educate local coaches and players about concussion awareness.
“It’s very important we do take concussions seriously,” said Kennedy, noting two per cent of all youth who suffer concussions end up with long-term effects
“We want to make sure we have the appropriate tools in place to help support these students and our youth in the community,” Kennedy said.
TASSS alumnus and former Grey Cup winner Gabe Robinson said his mother prevented him from playing football for two years out of concern he could get hurt. Robinson said there has to be balance in life and football has plenty to offer youth.
“What she didn’t understand is just how much this game can teach you,” he said. “If you play this game for real, try and sweat and grind and commit to the team project and the guy beside you and play this game with heart the rewards can be so great.”
The day featured 12 hours of high school soccer, rugby and football capped by a senior football double-header under the lights.
The TASSS Griffins kicked off the double-header with a 48-5 win over the Holy Cross Hurricanes. The night ended with the Crestwood Mustangs beating the Adam Scott Lions 24-0.
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