Kirkland Arena

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Hundreds of West Islanders gathered at the Kirkland Arena last Saturday to attend a series of hockey games between teams made up of community organization representatives, Montreal police officers from Station 1 and Station 3, elected officials and retired NHL players. The event was hosted by the Community Perspective on Mental Health organization (PCSM) in collaboration with the City of Kirkland to raise awareness about mental health and bring together the organizations that contribute to the various factions of the community in need of mental health support.

The second floor gathering space was set up from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. where attendees mingled and had the opportunity to visit the thirty community organization table set-ups to learn more about how each organization contributes to mental health initiatives throughout the West Island. At the far end, a finger-food buffet table was set and PCSM representatives walked through the crowds offering drinks and refreshments.

The event Master of Ceremonies and Pierrefonds-Roxboro city councillor Benoit Langevin kicked off the activities with an opening speech shortly before the games began accompanied by Kirkland mayor Michel Gibson; MNA for Robert-Baldwin Brigitte Garceau, Pierrefonds-Roxboro Mayor Jim Beis, Pointe-Claire mayor Tim Thomas, Dollard-des-Ormeaux (DDO) mayor Alex Bottausci, DDO city councillor Errol Johnson, Pierrefonds-Roxboro city councillors Sharkie Tarakjian and Catherine Clement-Talbot, PCSM directors Emmanuelle Morin and Patrick Merrigan and former NHL players Patrice Brisebois, Mathieu Dandenault and Stephane Richer.

Singer and songwriter Jewelle McKenzie dazzled attendees with her presence and many look forward to seeing her performance at the West Island Blues Festival.

The Bikers Against Child Abuse organization also gained a lot of attention at the event as their motorcycles were parked at the arena’s entrance as they greeted people arriving from their tent set up adjacent to the front door.

There was a lot of movement throughout the arena as attendees continued to mingle throughout the afternoon discussing potential collaboration efforts between organizations, cities, municipalities, artists and concerned citizens while enjoying the entertaining competitions between players.

“This organization is fundamental to the West Island community. Mental health is so varied and this organization is so important to helping people in need to get the help that they need,” Gibson said to The Suburban.

Former NHL hockey player Stephane Richer told The Suburban that though the stigma attached to mental health has changed significantly, there is still more work to be done. “If you go back thirty years ago when I was playing (in the NHL), as a hockey player you are supposed to be tough, you are not supposed to complain, you are making money, everything is ‘perfect’ but deep inside people have no clue what goes on inside when you are home and you close the door, it’s a different ball game.”

PCSM director of services Emmanuelle Morin stresses the importance of cooperation between community services and creating community awareness to break the stigma and assist persons on the road to recovery. “It is together that we take care of our village,” she said to The Suburban. n