Pressure of sports can lead to mental health challenges
Coming on the heels of Bell Let’s Talk events, this week’s Rastall OHL file takes a deep dive into mental health in the league.
It often gets lost on spectators that the young men who make up the league are just that, young men. And with the complexities of being a normal teenager, throwing in the added pressures of competitive hockey, mental health can sometimes take a hit.
“Pressure of performance, pressure not to fail and then when you add on top of it some professional aspects, like these are still young men,” said Sudbury Wolves assistant coach, Gary Ricciardi.
“The conversation about mental health stretches beyond the coaching and administrative staff in the league. Players say it’s important to use their platform to have a voice for those who might not have the ability to speak up about their well-being.”
“You don’t always see mental health like an injury,” said Wolves forward Evan Condon.
“You don’t always see it, but people are suffering so it’s something important and something I look out for in my teammates and other people.”
North Bay Battalion forward Dalyn Wakely said it’s important to reach out to someone who might need to talk to someone.
“I think it’s important for anybody, whether it’s a hockey player or somebody going through school, you know, anybody, make sure you’re sharing how you’re feeling,” Wakely said.
Ricciardi said the league takes mental health very seriously.
“As an organization, and as role models within the community, we should advocate for others and we should always be willing to have these hard conversations,” he said.
Beyond conversations, Ricciardi said the organization hosts regular seminars and meetings to check in on the team, in addition to an app and phone number players can call anytime.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.5309015.1683576191!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
One person in hospital after falling from swing ride at Canada's Wonderland
One person has been hospitalized after falling from a swing ride at Canada's Wonderland.
Biden forcefully declares he's staying in re-election race in major news conference
U.S. President Joe Biden used his highly anticipated news conference Thursday to deliver a forceful defence of his foreign and domestic policies, and batted away questions about his ability to serve another four years even as he flubbed a reference to Donald Trump in one of his first answers.
'A terrible tragedy': 4 dead in another multiple-fatality B.C. crash
A crash in Keremeos, B.C., Wednesday morning is the latest in a string of fatal collisions, this time claiming the lives of four people, Mounties say.
Trudeau says he still has 'full confidence' in Freeland, but has been talking to Carney
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he continues to have 'full confidence' in Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland, but he's also been talking to Mark Carney about entering federal politics.
'An avoidable tragedy': Calgary woman charged after dog dies in hot car
A Calgary woman is facing charges for the death of her dog, which died after being left in a hot car on Canada Day.
Oilers star engaged to marry girlfriend after proposal in Spain
Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl is engaged to be married. The 28-year-old centre proposed to his girlfriend, actor Celeste Desjardins, who said yes. Both posted about the engagement Thursday to their Instagram accounts.
Benji Gregory, former child star on the '80s sitcom 'ALF,' dies at 46
Former child actor Benji Gregory, who played the young boy on the 1980s television sitcom 'ALF,' has died in suburban Phoenix. He was 46.
At least 200 crocodiles crawl into cities as heavy rains hit northern Mexico, near Texas
Heavy rains associated with Hurricane Beryl and the earlier Tropical Storm Alberto have led at least 200 crocodiles to enter urban areas in the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas, across from Texas, state and federal authorities said this week.
Black bear 'wreaked havoc' on car after being locked inside, RCMP say
A black bear accidentally got locked in a car in Coquitlam Thursday, destroying the interior before being freed by police.