The UK put 140,000 people, which included a range of professions from hairdressers to employees in global corporations, through the Mental Health First Aid England (MHFA) course in England in 2018-19. After that, the number of people who had received that training increased to 500,000 people or about one in every 100 adults. Evidence from that program showed the training was good for raising awareness and removing the stigma associated with asking for help. It also found that sometimes the people who got the training were not always the most effective at delivering the support.
Michael Condon, ‘NSW announces 'largest mental health first aid program' in the world’, ABC
HOCKEY IS BACK! More specifically the Montreal Canadiens. In the week leading up to Wednesday’s season opener, the Habs have made some interesting changes. From Zack Kassian literally running his career into the ground, or rather a tree, to yet another upset in the back up goalie position, let’s re-cap the headlines.
Replacement Prust Suspended
It was 6:30am last Sunday when Zack Kassian and two female companions decided to wreak a little havoc in the suburbs of Montreal, and subsequently wreck his career. New in town after stints with the Canucks and Sabres, and a questionable reputation in tow, Team Hot Dad placed Kassian on a short lease upon his arrival. If Kassian were a puppy, then he totally crapped on Bergey’s Gucci loafers. Not only did he sustain a broken nose and foot, he also landed himself in Stage Two of the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program and has been suspended indefinitely without pay. Should Kassian make a return to the NHL or the Canadiens, he’s going to be on the shortest of leashes, with a need to prove that he can produce on the ice and behave like a professional, as character is the most stressed thing in the Canadiens’ locker room. The upside? A trip to rehab for Kassian means a trip up the depth chart for someone else.
Jesus Price Gets A New Disciple
A Princeton graduate who, undrafted, worked his way up from the ECHL, has assumed the number two position behind Carey Price. Mike Condon had a strong showing in the preseason, stopping all 38 shots faced across one and a half games. As for the guy whose job he robbed... Former backup, Dustin Tokarski allowed eight goals on 37 shots, five of which came in a loss against conference rivals the Ottawa Senators. His sub-par play in the preseason didn’t augment his average numbers last season, and now he finds himself on the outside looking in, as the taller and more composed Condon hopes to make this goalie tandem stronger.
Earn It
Tomas Fleischmann, a frequent healthy scratch who initially joined the Habs on a professional tryout, is now an official member of the team after signing a one year deal worth $750,000. During the preseason, Fleischmann exhibited some decent speed and chemistry with David Desharnais and third line stalwart Dale “Dutch Gretzky” Weise. Speaking of the bottom six, DSP has solidified his spot in the lineup with his physicality and increased speed, while Paul Bryon, claimed off waivers from the Calgary Flames, offers a left handed option and could give Brian Flynn some competition should he fail to impress French Canadian Donald Trump Therrien and Co. Flynn could end up as the odd forward out. Someone needs to create a new hashtag in case he Bourque-s it...
Season Opener Highlights
Carey Price was as sound as he’s ever been, allowing one goal on 37 shots. Captain Patch opened the scoring, netting the first goal of the season for a second, consecutive year. The fourth line didn’t fare so well with their tough zone deployments, but neither did their third line counterparts, who spent too much time trapped in the defensive zone. Overall, it was a solid effort with just flashes of last year’s ineptitude. Hopefully, this year’s slightly different squad can take a slightly different approach and open up the scoring a little more, as they’ll be facing teams a lot stronger than the still hot garbage team Leafs.
The Canadiens take to the ice again tomorrow night, against the Bruins at TD Garden. To see my predictions for the season check out my 30 Days, 30 Teams piece on Montreal.
