On October 3 and 4, in recognition of Mental Health Awareness month in Canada, MERIT is proud to bring Corey Hirsch back to Saskatchewan to share his personal story about mental wellness.
Corey comes from a construction background, is a former NHL goaltender, coach and an Olympic Games silver medalist. But most importantly, he has opened a conversation to end the stigma around mental health.
In 1994, just three years after being drafted by the New York Rangers, Corey won a silver medal and drank from the Stanley Cup as a member of the Rangers’ championship team. What no one knew was that he tried to take his own life that same year.
Months later, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks and went on to play 100 more NHL games, before finishing his career in Europe. The entire time, Corey struggled with his mental health issues. He was eventually diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder and got the lifesaving treatment that he needed.
Corey would go on to coach goaltenders with the Maple Leafs and Blues, before joining Sportsnet Radio to do colour commentary for the Canucks.
Today, Corey is an advocate in the battle to end the stigma around mental health. He is an engaging speaker that educates, motivates, and inspires his audience. He gives hope to others struggling by showing vulnerability and letting people know they are not alone.”
Like Corey, MERIT has stepped up as the advocate for mental wellness in Saskatchewan’s construction industry. In addition to providing a full employee assistance program to the more than 4500 employees on the MERIT benefit plans, MERIT also provides training to help change the culture around mental health and suicide.