Salve Regina men's hockey to host inaugural Mental Health Awareness Night on Saturday
The Salve Regina University men's ice hockey team will host its inaugural Mental Health Awareness Night on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at the St. George’s School hockey rink.
Proceeds from the game against Suffolk will benefit Newport Mental Health and the Movember Foundation.
“I decided to organize this as a way to raise awareness amongst my teammates, Salve students and the community,” said event organizer and senior psychology student Anthony Azzano, who added he and the team will be providing boom sticks to the first 100 attendees.
More: Joey Mauriello nearly gave up football. Now he's rewriting the Salve Regina record book
Members of the Seahawks are not without their own first-hand experiences. Senior George Sennot recounted his recent mental health challenge.
“I didn’t leave my bedroom for about four months. It’s much better now. We all have our moments,” said Sennott, referring to over 60% of the 18-to 24-year-olds who have reported feelings of anxiety or depression in the U.S. during the pandemic. “It’s important that we all speak up. That’s our message as a team.”
The team will be splitting the $5 entrance fee and monies raised through selling Seahawks’ hockey jerseys and several raffle items between Newport Mental Health, a community mental health center providing behavioral health services regardless of income level or insurance and the Movember Foundation.
More: Board exam: Salve Regina student to compete at national surfing championships
The Movember Foundation, an organization that runs a charity event, centers around the growing of mustaches to heighten awareness of men’s mental and physical health, such as prostate and testicular cancers and suicide.
“We’re thrilled that Salve students thought of us and are aware of the importance of seeking help and treating mental health challenges,” said Newport Mental Health President and CEO Jamie Lehane “ It’s so inspiring to see the excellent work that Salve has done in training their students to be the leaders of tomorrow.”
Newport Mental Health, a federally certified community behavioral health clinic, offers evidence-based mental health services to the 82,000 residents of Newport County, regardless of ability to pay. On an annual basis, NMH serves more than 1,450 high-risk adults and children at its five locations
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Salve Regina men's hockey to host Mental Health Awareness Night
