CANADA — Thanks to a recently launched initiative, coaches and athletes from across the country now have some additional supports for those in need of mental health assistance.
The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) has started a Mental Health and Sport Resource Hub on its website. The goal of the hub is to advance national mental health literacy, which can benefit Indigenous sport communities. The Aboriginal Sport Circle is named as one partnering organization with the Hub.
The Hub, which is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, aims to reach communities across the country but targets Indigenous people and those living in remote areas.
Besides English and French, the content will be offered in seven, including three Indigenous, Cree, Dene and Inuktitut. The modules will also be available in Arabic, Punjabi, Chinese and Tagalog.
It is believed that coaches, especially those from Indigenous communities, can benefit from any information that will help athletes in need of mental health assistance.
Coaches are often found to not have the necessary know-how to deal with those experiencing a mental health crisis. Accessing resources on the topic can now better equip them.
Various coaching modules have long been offered through the CAC. One of the e-learning modules available is titled “Mental Health in Sport.” It takes an estimated 45 to 60 minutes to complete.
Upon completion of the module, those who viewed it should be able to describe the foundations of mental health, recognize and understand their role in promoting coach and participant well-being and understand the importance of self-care.
Another module, which also takes an estimated 45 to 60 minutes to finish, is titled “Leading a Return to Sport Participation.”
The module assists coaches to provide safe, return-to-sport activities.
Those who view this module will have a better ability to identify any physical and psychosocial effects athletes may be experiencing with their return to their physical activities. Coaches will also have a better understanding of how to lead and communicate with empathy.
Athletes themselves can log onto the CAC website and access free mental health resources with materials geared towards youth 12 and above.
The hub can be accessed online here: https://coach.ca/mental-health-hub/resources
