McFadden's Movement, a mental health campaign created by Garrett McFadden that strives to change, help, and develop mental health among athletes starting at the grass roots level, officially began in September 2016. Heading into his fourth season with the Ontario Hockey League's Guelph Storm at the time, McFadden recognized he has a story to share that goes well beyond a 200-foot ice surface that saw the Kincardine, Ontario native become an OHL Champion as a 16-year-old rookie in 2014, push through an injury riddled season, and hold a leadership role on a struggling, young squad through the 2015-16 season, and more.
Drawing on his own challenges, while also directly affected by the loss of a close family friend, Wes Cameron, in 2011, McFadden wants to make a change, starting at the beginning. With the Movement, McFadden creates a connection with minor athletes and youth by highlighting not only the pressures of sport, but also the significance of talking about mental health when it comes to the day-to-day struggles that anyone and everyone can face in hopes of changing the stigma.
