NHLPA unveils mental health initiative to help hockey players learn more, watch for warning signs
The NHL players union has launched a mental health program aimed at educating and helping players learn more about their own well-being and that of their teammates and families
Whenever Blake Wheeler endured mental health challenges in his hockey career, he felt better when he talked about them and sought help.
When the NHL Players' Association introduced a pilot program to teach the basics of mental health, Wheeler was on board to give it a try. On Wednesday the union unveiled its First Line program, an initiative with Mental Health Commission of Canada that is now available to players who want to learn more about the topic.
“We’re opening a door that hasn’t been opened before and giving guys just a little bit of a feel that, if something pops up in your life, if you need a little bit of support, you have a few guys who have been trained a little bit,” said Wheeler, who is in his 16th season and first with the New York Rangers. “Hopefully in the future this is just commonplace in our league.”
A handful of players in recent months have opened up about mental health struggles, including Arizona's Connor Ingram, Florida's Spencer Knight and Colorado's Samuel Girard. They received care from the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, a joint venture of the league and union.
