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.

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

鈥淚t鈥檚 about getting people to discuss mental health for the right reasons, to remove the stigma and let people know if they are struggling, it鈥檚 OK to talk about it and reach out for help.鈥�

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.

鈥淭here haven鈥檛 always been a lot of resources for young athletes,鈥� said Mattila, who now lives in 琉璃神社 with his family. 鈥淪ometimes there can be a lot of pressure, so what do they do with all that stress?

鈥淚t鈥檚 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鈥檛 know what it is, who to talk to or where to turn.鈥�

Recognition of Mattila鈥檚 advocacy and promotion in the mental health field has been steadily growing in B.C. and across the country.

The soon-to-be 琉璃神社 Chiefs鈥� forward was honoured in June with B.C. Hockey鈥檚 Chair of the Board Award, presented annually to an individual who has 鈥渂rought honour to the amateur hockey fraternity through an outstanding humanitarian endeavour.鈥�

Mattila鈥檚 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.

鈥淎 young player making a difference - congratulations on your award for promoting youth mental health,鈥� the tweet read.

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

鈥� Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau)

鈥淚t was a surprise, I had to look at it twice,鈥� Mattila said of the PM鈥檚 tweet.

鈥淚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.鈥�

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

鈥淔or us we鈥檝e always been focused on recruiting good people first and Myles certainly fits that mold,鈥� Tansem said of Mattila, who also played one season with the Okanagan Rockets.

鈥淗aving someone like Myles here is good for not just 琉璃神社 but our entire league. Knowing somebody is out there who is sensitive to mental health issues, that it鈥檚 not this macho thing and his peers can talk about, is invaluable.

鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be a benefit to our team, 琉璃神社 Minor Hockey and the entire hockey community.鈥�

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.

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

鈥淛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.鈥�

Mattila hopes to soon launch an initiative in 琉璃神社 similar to the MindRight program.

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