Mental Health Support

Game Plan offers $2500 of subsidized mental health support to all Sport Canada carded athletes, non-carded national team athletes and their coaches. Learn more about our mental health education, tools, and resources below.

Connect with a mental health provider who knows sports by emailing the Mental Health Coordinator at [email protected].

Mental Health Support

Mental Health Continuum

Healthy

Reacting

Injured

Ill

Infographic arrows pointing left and right

Mental Health Indicators

Normal fluctuations in mood
Normal sleep patterns
Full of energy
Consistent performance
Normal social activity
Limited or no alcohol use or gambling

Nervousness, irritability, sadness
Trouble sleeping, nightmares
Intrusive thoughts
Tired or low energy
Procrastination
Decreased social activity
Regular but controlled use of alcohol or gambling

Anxiety, anger, pervasive sadness, hopelessness
Restless or disturbed sleep, recurrent nightmares
Low or no energy
Decreased performance, presenteeism
Social avoidance or withdrawal
Increased alcohol use, substance use, or gambling

Excessive anxiety
Depression
Self harm, suicidal thoughts and intentions
Unable to fall or stay asleep
No energy
Unable to perform duties, absenteeism
Isolation, avoiding social events
Frequent alcohol use, substance use, or gambling

Actions to Take

Focus on task at hand
Break problems into manageable chunks
Identify and nurture support systems
Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Recognize limits
Get adequate rest and nutrition
Engage in healthy coping strategies
Identify and minimize stressors

Identify and understand your own signs of distress
Talk with someone
Seek help
Seek social support

Seek professional help
Follow healthcare provider recommendations
Regain physical and mental health

Who Can Help

Your Game Plan Advisor
Mental Performance Consultant

Mental Performance Consultant
Counsellor
Psychotherapist
Your Game Plan Advisor
Your COPSIN Mental Health Lead

Team, Family, or Treating Physician
Clinical or Registered Psychologist
Counsellor
Psychotherapist
Social Worker
Your COPSIN Mental Health Lead

Team, Family, or Treating Physician
Clinical or Registered Psychologist
Counsellor
Psychotherapist
Social Worker
Your COPSIN Mental Health Lead

Mental Health Strategy for High Performance Sport in Canada

Developed to improve mental health outcomes for all Canadian high performance athletes, coaches, and support staff

Game Plan Mental Health Resources

FOR ATHLETES

Considerations for Choosing a Sport-Informed Mental Health Provider

General considerations and tips for selecting the appropriate support to fulfill your needs and goals.

Mental Health Disorders Factsheets

Sport-informed mental health factsheets spotlighting ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, OCD, Perfectionism and Sleep.

Individual Mental Health Action Plan

A resource to help athletes and their entourage proactively respond when their mental health is declining.

Mental Health 101 Workshop: Athletes

A two-hour workshop that provides athletes with tangible tools and strategies to support their mental health.

Athlete Self-Care Plan

A fillable roadmap aimed to prevent mental health crises.

Post Games Planning Guide

A guided workbook for athletes to plan for life after major Games or championships.

FOR COACHES (OF NATIONAL TEAM ATHLETES)

CAC E-Learning Module - A Champion’s Mindset: Mental Health in High-Performance Coaching

This resource will equip coaches with practical knowledge of how to put the mental health theory they learned in MH 101, NCCP Basic Mental Skills and the CAC Mental Health in Sport into practice.

Return to Sport Guideline

Guideline to assist in the stepwise return to the competitive and daily training environment following a mental health condition identified in the team environment or disclosed to team support members by the athlete.

Return to Sport Flowchart

Step-by-step flowchart to utilize when returning an athlete to sport after a leave of absence due to mental health.

Removal from Sport Guideline

Guideline for removing an athlete from the training and competition environment following mental health symptoms identified in the team environment or disclosed to team support members by the athlete.

Mental Health Decision Pathway

This resource aims to provide the tools to understand what procedure to follow when athletes exhibit specific mental health symptoms and behaviours.

Considerations for Choosing a Sport-Informed Mental Health Provider

General considerations and tips for selecting the appropriate support to fulfill your needs and goals.

Mental Health Disorders Factsheets

Sport-informed mental health factsheets spotlighting ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, OCD, Perfectionism and Sleep.

Mental Health 101 Workshop: Coaches

A two-hour workshop that clarifies the role of coaches in maintaining and supporting their own and athletes' mental health.

FOR STAFF AND ORGANIZATIONS

CAC E-Learning Module - A Champion’s Mindset: Mental Health in High-Performance Coaching

This resource will equip coaches with practical knowledge of how to put the mental health theory they learned in MH 101, NCCP Basic Mental Skills and the CAC Mental Health in Sport into practice.

Return to Sport Guideline

Return to Sport Flowchart

Step-by-step flowchart to utilize when returning an athlete to sport after a leave of absence due to mental health.

Removal from Sport Guideline

Mental Health Decision Pathway

This resource aims to provide the tools to understand what procedure to follow when athletes exhibit specific mental health symptoms and behaviours.

Mental Health Disorders Factsheets

Sport-informed mental health factsheets spotlighting ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, OCD, Perfectionism and Sleep.

Needs Gap Assessment

A guide to assist sport leaders in assessing needs and gaps in the area of personal and team mental health.

Organizational Mental Health Emergency Action Plan

A tool to help sport organizations plan for and respond to mental health emergencies.