Doctor's Hockey Tournament in Vernon. (submitted photo)

By Pete McIntyre

Mental health program gets $25,000 assist from doctors

Jan 27, 2021 | 3:17 PM

Doctors that like to play hockey have scored big with their support of a local men’s mental health program.

The Doctor’s Hockey Tournament has been held in Vernon and area rinks every spring for over 35 years, and is now the largest physicians tournament in Western Canada. Twenty-four teams of physicians from various communities normally gather to laugh, learn, release a little stress on the ice, and play for some trophy bragging rights.

This year’s event, the 38th annual, has been cancelled due to COVID-19, but there are plans to return in March 2022.

Tournament organizers have a mandate to make meaningful contributions back to their communities with the tournament proceeds. In addition to supporting The Canadian Mental Health Association and one other local charity annually, the event also makes periodic additional donations when funds permit.

This year, ‘the doc’s’ wanted to begin forging some new and meaningful relationships that contribute to men’s health. They heard about the efforts of Men’s Shed Vernon, and invited them for a discussion and proposal. The Doctors Hockey Tournament agreed to assist the Men’s Shed plan with a $25,000 donation.

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“Local physician, Dr. Will Cawkell, started this tournament back in 1983 intending to support local charities. This significant contribution to the work of the Men’s Shed aligns with our belief that social connection, whether in a locker room or a workshop, benefits men’s mental health and the health of their families,” Dr. Manish Bhatt, one of the tournament directors, said.

David Friesen from Men’s Shed Vernon (MSV) said the $25,000 grant happened at just the right time for their organization.

“The guys from the shed were so encouraged by this gesture that they quickly matched the grant putting MSV in much better financial shape for the future,” he said.

Members of Men’s Sheds come from all walks of life – the bond that unites them is that they are men with time on their hands and would like something meaningful to do with that time.

The group provides a safe and happy environment where men can work on community projects, specific Men’s Shed projects or a project of their choice in their own time and where the only ‘must’ is to observe safe working practices…. all in a spirit of mateship.

The Men’s Shed movement has become one of the most powerful tools in addressing health and wellbeing and helping men to once again become valued and productive members of their community.