Blossom where you’re planted: Mental health considerations for Indigenous sport participants

Highlights: The first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation took place on September 30, 2021. This day honours the survivors of the residential school system, their families and their communities. Reflecting on truth and reconciliation in Canadian sport, this article explores mental health considerations for Indigenous sport participants. SIRC sat down with Sharon Anne Firth,…

Opportunities for mental health promotion in Canadian university sport

Highlights Evidence suggests that university student-athletes experience poor mental health at higher rates than the general population. To better understand and support mental health in the university sport setting, a research team at the University of Alberta studied how mentally healthy women student-athletes approached their season. The student-athletes in the study took a different approach…

The mental health strategy for high performance sport in Canada: What national sport organization leaders and staff should know

Highlights The Mental Health Strategy for High Performance Sport in Canada aims to improve the mental health outcomes for all Canadian high performance athletes, coaches, and staff. The strategy was developed by Canadian experts in mental health and sport based on scientific evidence, applied experience, and international best practices. The newly formed strategy focuses on…

Lessons about mental health from the Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo

Highlights For athletes, coaches, and others who worked tirelessly to make the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games a success, the global COVID‑19 pandemic increased stress and added to the already pressure-packed environment. When USA Gymnastics legend Simone Biles put her mental health ahead of the competition, she elevated discussions around mental health to historic levels….