Former Blackhawk Joins Oak Forest High School To Talk Mental Health

OAK FOREST, IL -- It is Mental Health Awareness week here at Bremen High School District 228. During the week, Oak Forest High School, Bremen High School, Hillcrest High School and Tinley Park High School are engaging in activities to wrap up Stress Awareness Month 2022.

Oak Forest High School, located in Oak Forest, Illinois, hosted an assembly on April 25, 2022, passing the puck to a familiar, former Chicago athlete.

Brent Sopel, former Chicago Blackhawks player who helped the team win the Stanley Cup in 2010, spoke with students and staff on the importance of having good mental health. Sopel, who retired from the team in 2015, started the Brent Sopel Foundation, which is dedicated to providing financial and educational assistance to help students with dyslexia fulfill their potential through early detection and intervention.

Throughout his discussion, Sopel talked about his own path, how he was affected by his learning disabilities, how hockey became his strength, the danger of using drugs and alcohol to cope with life's challenges, bullying, and how to have good mental health. The interactive discussion also welcomed students to ask the organization’s founder questions.

“It’s my purpose, and the purpose of my foundation is to help anyone I possibly can by sharing my story,” Sopel said. “Being a public figure, it is my obligation to have these conversations. I was in this position before, and knowing what I know now, I want to spread that information on to these kids.”

Sopel said he hopes the organization is a helping hand to kids in a way he didn’t quite receive. Now six years sober from drugs and alcohol, he is determined now more than ever to help those who may have struggled with the same issues.

“The organization is all about dyslexia, but it’s also about mental health. Drugs, alcohol, mental health; helping in any way I can,” Sopel said. “There isn’t much I haven’t gone through, and I am just trying to pass that along by being there for every kid that I can.”

To learn more about Brent Sopel and his foundation please use the links below:

Brent Sopel Foundation: https://brentsopelfoundation.org/
Brent Sopel "Here to Change the World": https://youtu.be/YAtDAxLd-Ps

About Bremen High School District 228
Bremen High School District 228 is located in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and serves the communities of Midlothian, Posen, Tinley Park, Markham, Hazel Crest, Country Club Hills and Oak Forest. District 228 serves over 5,000 students and employs 800 full and part-time staff members. Bremen High School, in Midlothian, opened its doors to students in September of 1953. Since then, District 228 opened three additional schools. Tinley Park High School opened in 1961; Hillcrest High School, in Country Club Hills, opened in 1967; and Oak Forest High School opened in 1970. For more information, please visit https://www.bhsd228.com/