Watching a friend and former teammate struggle with bouts of depression was all the motivation Myles Mattila needed.

Three years ago, Mattila, then just 15, decided he would do whatever he could to help raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with mental health.

害羞草研究所淚t was hard watching a friend going through depression, neither of us even knew what depression was at the time,害羞草研究所� said Mattila, now 18. 害羞草研究所淚t was sad seeing him isolating himself, I didn害羞草研究所檛 know how to help, so I decided to learn as much as I could about mental health.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 about getting people to discuss mental health for the right reasons, to remove the stigma and let people know if they are struggling, it害羞草研究所檚 OK to talk about it and reach out for help.害羞草研究所�

While living in Prince George and playing hockey last season with the Cariboo Cougars, Mattila launched , a program designed to enhance mental health and wellness for youth.

害羞草研究所淭here haven害羞草研究所檛 always been a lot of resources for young athletes,害羞草研究所� said Mattila, who now lives in Kelowna with his family. 害羞草研究所淪ometimes there can be a lot of pressure, so what do they do with all that stress?

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 about knowing what steps to take when they see the signs and it seems more people are affected by (mental health issues) all the time. People feel handcuffed because they don害羞草研究所檛 know what it is, who to talk to or where to turn.害羞草研究所�

Recognition of Mattila害羞草研究所檚 advocacy and promotion in the mental health field has been steadily growing in B.C. and across the country.

The soon-to-be Kelowna Chiefs害羞草研究所� forward was honoured in June with B.C. Hockey害羞草研究所檚 Chair of the Board Award, presented annually to an individual who has 害羞草研究所渂rought honour to the amateur hockey fraternity through an outstanding humanitarian endeavour.害羞草研究所�

Mattila害羞草研究所檚 promotion of mental health even caught the attention of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who sent a direct tweet to Mattila following his B.C. Hockey award.

害羞草研究所淎 young player making a difference - congratulations on your award for promoting youth mental health,害羞草研究所� the tweet read.

A young player making a difference - congratulations on your award for promoting youth mental health.

害羞草研究所� Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau)

害羞草研究所淚t was a surprise, I had to look at it twice,害羞草研究所� Mattila said of the PM害羞草研究所檚 tweet.

害羞草研究所淚t was great. The best part is that it shows people are responding to the cause and are taking the subject of youth mental health seriously.害羞草研究所�

This fall, Mattila will play hockey with , while also studying in the business program at Okanagan College. Chiefs害羞草研究所� head coach Jason Tansem said Mattila will be a valuable asset to the team and the community as a whole.

害羞草研究所淔or us we害羞草研究所檝e always been focused on recruiting good people first and Myles certainly fits that mold,害羞草研究所� Tansem said of Mattila, who also played one season with the Okanagan Rockets.

害羞草研究所淗aving someone like Myles here is good for not just Kelowna but our entire league. Knowing somebody is out there who is sensitive to mental health issues, that it害羞草研究所檚 not this macho thing and his peers can talk about, is invaluable.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 going to be a benefit to our team, Kelowna Minor Hockey and the entire hockey community.害羞草研究所�

With a passion for hockey and keen interest in furthering his education, Mattila is excited to be able to pursue both ambitions while living close to family and friends.

害羞草研究所淭he Chiefs are personally my best choice, it害羞草研究所檚 a chance to play hockey, go to school and be where my family is all at the same time,害羞草研究所� said Mattila, who has earned numerous scholarships to help pay for his education.

害羞草研究所淛ason has helped me out a lot and the organization has really backed me up on the school decision and my interest in mental health.害羞草研究所�

Mattila hopes to soon launch an initiative in Kelowna similar to the MindRight program.

He also continues to volunteer in the community and plans to do some work with Foundry Kelowna, a youth-service centre for kids and teens in need of mental health care and social services that is set to open this fall.