Former NHL defenceman Jay Harrison sees an advantage in using his experiences to help current players lower their guard about mental health.
The National Hockey League Players’ Association announced a new program, First Line, meant to support the mental health of NHL players. The announcement was made at the Hockey Hall of Fame Wednesday in partnership with Opening Minds, a division of the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
“One of the greatest tools that I have is that I’m a former player and can share lived experiences,” said Harrison, who serves as the NHLPA’s wellness, transition and performance specialist. “Often times, maybe players don’t live with mental illness but certainly there are many players out there who are functioning at a very high level professionally, who aren’t necessarily living well or thriving.”
Harrison said the first step is talking and sharing that vulnerability.
“Often throughout my career, I didn’t live my best life through the game,” he said.
“There were many mental health challenges and struggles that, having resources, being more open and perhaps creating a greater perspective around my experience may have enhanced my quality of life in that time.”
WATCH | Harrison says program will help teammates support each other:
Jay Harrison, a former NHL defenceman turned psychologist, says the First Line initiative not only helps reduce the stigma of mental health among hockey players but provides resources to help teammates support each other.
The improvement of player wellness was the goal for NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh.
“This program is another way for the NHLPA to continue to focus on our efforts on enhancing the overall wellness of our players on and off the ice,” he said. “As a recovering alcoholic, I certainly know first hand of having tools and resources available that can be used are really important for us.
“The way you live your life and understanding that you might have a challenge, ?Ǫ but when you get the help that you need, it changes your dynamic, it changes your family dynamic, it changes the trajectory around you. And that’s exactly what we’re doing here for our NHL players.”
Wheeler, Backlund vouch for program
The Mental Health Commission of Canada’s vice president of social enterprise Shane Silver, Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Neil Lumsden, and Milton MP Adam van Koeverden were also on the panel with Harrison and Walsh.
Part of the…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at CBC | NHL News…