The Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health (CICMH) recently hosted a webinar on the mental health challenges that face post-secondary athletes.
Knock-out Stigma: Promoting Athlete Mental Health on Campus was a one-hour webinar based on Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division’s Talk Today program, one of the most comprehensive mental health/sport-related programs in Canada.
Led by CMHA Ontario communications officer Alex Salomie, who manages Talk Today, and CMHA Sault Ste. Marie mental health educator Lisa Carricato, the session discussed ways student athletes can manage the stresses and pressures they deal with to excel at their sports during a critical educational period in their lives. Student athletes must balance demanding practice and class schedules while also completing assignments on time and studying for exams. The mounting stress of keeping these priorities on track can lead to anxiety and depression and impact their overall mental health and performance.
Talk Today is breaking down the stigma of seeking help and promoting a safe environment for athletes to speak about their mental health challenges. Since 2014, over 3,400 young athletes and team personnel across Canada have received mental health awareness and suicide prevention training. Originally for athletes 15 years and over, Talk Today has since evolved and has provided educational opportunities for 5,300 elementary school kids, hundreds of athletes under 15, and athletes in high school, college and university.
Watch a replay of the webinar here.