Raptors’ Chris Boucher brings hoops, mental health awareness to TMU
The goal of the Mindfull Basketball and Mental Health Clinic is to bridge the gap between sport and mental health, foster confidence and teamwork, create safe spaces for connection and peer support, and equip youth with coping tools early on, say organizers. The clinic marks a deepening of the Foundation’s partnerships with Kids Help Phone, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Toronto and TMU. (Photo: credit: FilmsbyJacob)
As part of Canadian Mental Health Week, NBA champ Chris Boucher and his SlimmDuck Foundation recently teamed up with Toronto Kids Help Phone, CMHA Toronto, the Toronto Raptors and TMU Bold to host their 2nd annual Mindfull Basketball and Mental Health Clinic—a youth basketball and mental health event —at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.
About 100 participants aged 10 to 14 hit the court with the TMU Bold men’s basketball team along with the Bold's head coach David DeAveiro and lead assistant coach Jeremie Kayeye.
The day consisted of skills training, followed by lunch and hands-on mental health-focused activities led by experts to help youth—especially in Black and Caribbean communities—build confidence, connection, and coping tools early on.
“Mental health is something we don’t talk about enough, especially in sports,” said Boucher, who’s open about his own journey. “I want these kids to know it’s okay to ask for help and to take care of themselves.”
The event is part of Boucher’s larger mission to support youth and uplift equity-deserving communities through sport, education and wellness.
See photos below from the event:
Youth participants, volunteers and community partners from TMU gather at the Mindfull event — an initiative by Chris Boucher’s SlimmDuck Foundation aimed at helping young people build confidence, connection and mental health tools through sport. (Photo: FilmsbyJacob)
Participants ran drills and shot hoops with the TMU Bold men’s basketball team during the on-court portion of the Mindfull clinic at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. (Photo: Louis Eng)
During the clinic’s mental health session, Toronto Raptors’ Director of Wellness, Dayna Charbonneau guided youth through a meditative exercise—helping them tap into mindfulness, focus their energy and build self-awareness as part of the hands-on toolkit. (Photo: FilmsbyJacob)
After lunch, Cynthia Grant (pictured left) of CMHA Toronto, and Abby Walker (pictured right) from Kids Help Phone (KHP) led a dynamic panel, blending mental health education with a live Q&A to give youth practical insights and support. (Photo: Louis Eng)
Interactive mental health workshops were led by experts Dawud Bramble, left, and Alex Boross-Harmer, right, from CMHA Toronto to build coping skills and confidence. (Photo credit: Louis Eng)
With the support of the TMU Bold basketball player Galand Okeugo, left, a participant drives to the hoop during a dribbling drill, showcasing focus and energy. (Photo: FilmsbyJacob)
TMU Bold basketball player Elijah Roye, centre, offers guidance as the participants practice their free throws to encourage teamwork and mentorship. (Photo: Ruchi Srivastava)
Mental health is a deeply personal cause for Toronto Raptors’ Chris Boucher, who has faced his own challenges throughout his life. He believes that equipping youth with tools to understand and care for their mental health helps them thrive and stay true to who they are. The Mindfull clinic at TMU is one of many initiatives through which the SlimmDuck Foundation continues to support equity-deserving communities in Montreal, Toronto and beyond. (Photo: FilmsbyJacob)