Memorial Hockey Tournament Raises Awareness for Men’s Mental Health

A group of friends from Coxheath, Nova Scotia, is promoting mental health awareness through the third annual Breton Brothers Memorial Hockey Tournament. Scheduled for December 23, 2023, at the County Arena, the event honors the memories of three men who tragically lost their lives due to mental health challenges. Tyler MacEachern, Joey Mahon, and Matthew Keating, all graduates of Riverview Rural High School in 2008, are remembered by their peers as vibrant individuals who brought joy to those around them.

Stuart MacNeil, an organizer and participant in the tournament, reflected on the lasting impact of these friends. “Whenever I think of those guys, I think of their smiles, how outgoing and fun they were,” he stated. The tournament serves as a platform to address the often-stigmatized topic of mental health, particularly among men. MacNeil pointed out that the loss of a participant from the inaugural event underscores the importance of these conversations. “We didn’t anticipate him to be feeling that way unfortunately,” he said. “So, with that thought, we thought, ‘Who else is in the room struggling?’”

The event is further supported by Mike Keating, the older brother of Matthew Keating. In memory of his brother, he initiated the Three Brothers Project, which aims to raise awareness about men’s mental health. “I think he’d be proud that all these guys are coming together,” Mike Keating remarked. The tournament not only serves as a memorial but also as a reminder that it is acceptable to discuss mental health openly. “We’re also playing for each other in the sense we’re letting each other know that it’s OK to have these conversations about mental health — that it’s OK not to be OK,” he added.

The funds raised during the tournament will benefit the mental health and addictions patient care fund through the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation. Caitlyn MacDonald, the foundation’s manager of philanthropy and a high school friend of the three men, emphasized the significance of the event. “This tournament is kind of a way to honour them and remember them and also a way for us to raise funds for others in our community who might be struggling as they were at one time,” she explained.

The choice of location for the tournament holds additional meaning for participants. MacNeil noted that holding the event at the arena next to their high school enhances the sense of community and tradition. “I saw guys this summer, at the Big Fiddle concert this summer, saying ‘Hey, December 23, tournament, can’t wait. Christmas tradition,’” he shared. The tournament not only commemorates the past but also fosters a supportive environment for those facing similar struggles.

As the tournament approaches, MacNeil expressed a commitment to its future. “We’re going to keep this event going, keep building and growing, and try to bring more awareness to the guys in the dressing room that if you’re not doing OK, you can get help.” The Breton Brothers Memorial Hockey Tournament stands as a testament to friendship, community, and the ongoing battle against mental health issues, encouraging open dialogue and support among men.