“Rugby Nova Scotia is incredibly proud of how tight knit our rugby community is here in the province,” Hanratty says. “We at RNS want you to feel okay about not feeling okay.”

Once the idea took shape, Hanratty reached out to the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, and the organizations have partnered for the Rugby Nova Scotia Tackles Mental Health campaign. RNS has ordered rubber bracelets featuring the tagline, “If you talk, I will listen. If you listen, I will talk.” The bracelets will be sold by players and supporters for $10.00. Five dollars from each sale will be designated to the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, and the other half designated to a support fund for younger players striving to reach high performance.

“We know active living can help support good mental health,” says Starr Dobson, Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia President and CEO. “It’s wonderful to see a sporting organization step up to ensure the culture of sport can also have a positive impact. We are proud to work with the team at Rugby Nova Scotia – their enthusiasm is inspiring.”



On Monday, June 13, the two organizations will host an event at Sport Nova Scotia to officially launch the campaign. The announcement will take place at 4:00 p.m. and will feature videos highlighting the campaign and a first voice speaker from the Rugby Nova Scotia community.

“The national and even international rugby community has got behind this project,” Hanratty says. “We’ve received videos from national team players from Ireland and Canada and provincial unions of Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta.”

RNS plans to issue a challenge to other sporting organizations across Nova Scotia to follow suit in making mental health support a priority among their leadership and players.

Bracelets can be purchased by contacting Provincial Coach, Jack Hanratty at rnscoach@sportnovascotia.ca

Rugby Nova Scotia Tackles Mental Health

Launch Announcement

Monday, June 13, 4:00 p.m.

Sport Nova Scotia

3rd floor classroom

5516 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax

Event open to the public

Social media: #RugbyNSwewillListen

About Rugby Nova Scotia

Rugby Nova Scotia is dedicated to the advancement, encouragement, promotion, administration, development and coordination of the sport of rugby in Nova Scotia through progressive leadership in cooperation with its membership and in liaison with Rugby Canada.

www.rugbyns.ns.ca

About the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia

The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is a registered charity dedicated to improving the lives of Nova Scotians living with mental illness and their loved ones. The Foundation raises funds for vital programs and services that help make this possible, province-wide.

www.mentalhealthns.ca

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Contact:

Jennifer Lewandowski, Communications Lead

Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia

T: 902.464.3210

E: Jennifer.Lewandowski@nshealth.ca

Jack Hanratty, Provincial Coach

Rugby Nova Scotia

T: 902.292.6778

E: rnscoach@sportnovascotia.ca