Mental Health Commission of Canada and NHLPA Launch New Leadership and Education Program

TORONTO, Jan. 10, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), in collaboration with Opening Minds and the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), proudly announces the official launch of FIRST LINE, an education and leadership program developed to strengthen NHLPA members' mental health knowledge and skills.

The first of its kind in professional sports, FIRST LINE was developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, Opening Minds and the NHLPA's Health and Wellness Team ? specifically for NHL players. This program is designed to directly address the issues faced by players and their families.

FIRST LINE will:

• Increase knowledge about common mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, substance use and self-harm;
• Provide skills for offering peer-to-peer support; and
• Educate about the stigma of mental illness and how to combat it.

"Collaborating with the Mental Health Commission of Canada to develop FIRST LINE builds on the diligent work by the NHLPA's health and wellness team, which brings value to players' lives by prioritizing mental health well-being and enhancing the player experience," said Marty Walsh, NHLPA Executive Director. "While the players have achieved great success in their careers as the best hockey players in the world, this does not preclude them from facing the same challenges that many others face."

"We are thrilled to collaborate with the NHLPA on this vital and impactful initiative," stated Shane Silver, Vice-President, MHCC and Opening Minds. "The Opening Minds programs have positively impacted more than 1 million participants worldwide, underscoring the universal importance of prioritizing mental health in every aspect of our lives, be it in our careers or personal spheres. I commend the NHLPA for their commitment to the well-being of their members and for adopting a holistic approach to health and wellness."

To date, the FIRST LINE program has been delivered to 20 NHL players, with plans to train additional players across the NHLPA membership on a voluntary basis throughout the 2023-24 season and beyond.

"It is our goal that all players who complete the FIRST LINE training will be empowered to advocate for their own mental health while being supportive of the mental health of their fellow players and others," said Dr. Jay Harrison, consulting psychologist to the NHLPA and former NHL player. "We are encouraged by the early interest and engagement players have shown in FIRST LINE, and we are looking forward to having a positive effect on their lives."

FIRST LINE is a course that is designed to be completed in a group format, which is delivered either in-person or online. All players who complete FIRST LINE training will receive a certificate of completion from Opening Minds and the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

The National Hockey League Players' Association, established in 1967, is a labour organization whose members are the players in the National Hockey League. The NHLPA works on behalf of the players in varied disciplines such as labor relations, product licensing, marketing, international hockey and community relations, all in furtherance of its efforts to promote its members and the game of hockey. In 1999, the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund was launched as a way for the players to give something back to the game they love. Over the past 24 years, more than 90,000 deserving children in 35 countries have benefited from the players' donations of hockey equipment. NHLPA Goals & Dreams has donated more than $26 million to grassroots hockey programs, making it the largest program of its kind. For more information on the NHLPA, please visit www.nhlpa.com.

About Opening Minds: A branch of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, Opening Minds is a social enterprise committed to providing evidence-based programs that promote mental wellness and resilience while eliminating stigma around the world.

About the Mental Health Commission of Canada: The Mental Health Commission of Canada is a catalyst for change, an organization designed to recommend improvements to the mental health system on a national level.

SOURCE Mental Health Commission of Canada