The Hub aims to boost mental health literacy among coaches at all levels of sport, prioritizing communities most affected by COVID-19 across Canada.
February 16, 2024 - Ottawa: One year ago, the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) launched its national Mental Health and Sport Resource Hub, a free online portal that provides coaches with the tools and information to support their mental health literacy and well-being, as well as that of their sport participants. Over the past year, the CAC has made significant strides in promoting mental health awareness within the sports community, fostering dialogue, and providing valuable resources for communities across Canada, especially those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Hub is a part of the CAC’s Mental Health and Sport project, made possible by financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). Since its launch, the Hub has been accessed by over 208,284 coaches and members of the sport community who have benefited from the rich and diverse content. The Hub has been frequently updated and expanded with new resources and languages, including Arabic, Chinese (Traditional), Denesuline (Chipewyan), English, Farsi, French, Inuktitut (South Baffin), Plains Cree, Punjabi, and Tagalog, to increase accessibility and inclusivity.
In addition to the creation of the Hub, the project included many impactful initiatives to raise awareness among the sport community. Some of the highlights include:
- Events Calendar: A dedicated section on the Mental Health and Sport Resource Hub to highlight free upcoming events that promote mental well-being and free NCCP workshops.
- PR outreach: Carried out in three phases, bolstered by the collaboration of 40 high-profile ambassadors, including coaches, athletes, and mental health experts. These ambassadors shared their lived experiences with the media to inspire the sport community and reach 150 million people across all 13 provinces and territories in Canada.
- Community Outreach: Discussions with organizations with similar goals and subject matter expertise to learn from the community, share information about the project, and identify opportunities to collaborate. 42 meetings conducted till now.
- Workshops: Created and led by the Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport (CCMHS). More than 450 individuals from the sport community have participated in these workshops, marking a powerful step towards breaking barriers and prioritizing mental well-being. Four National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) workshops have also been delivered for free by provincial and territorial coaching organizations.
- On-site event activation: In-person interactions with the sport community at events across Canada, including the Arctic Winter Games, Canada Winter Games, North American Indigenous Games, Indigenous Hockey Championships, Canadian Boccia Championships, and more. In total, the CAC has engaged with 36 events so far to spread the word about the project and create awareness and education on the resources available.
- Mobile App: Offers access to the Mental Health in Sport eLearning module in ten languages, as well as the Leading a Return to Sport Participation eLearning module in English and French.
- Video series: Available on the CAC’s YouTube channel: Coaching the Mind. This series features different members of the sport community sharing their perspectives and lived experiences with mental health.
Speaking on the one-year milestone, Lorraine Lafrenière, Chief Executive Officer of the Coaching Association of Canada, said, “We are very proud of the progress we've made through our national mental health and sport project over the past year. We are grateful to the Public Health Agency of Canada, our partner organizations, and the sport community for their support and contributions to this project. Coaches have a vital role to play in supporting the mental health and well-being of their sport participants as well as their own well-being. We hope that the Hub will continue to be a valuable source of information and guidance for coaches and sport participants across Canada.”
As the CAC reflects on a successful first year, the organization remains committed to advancing mental health awareness in sport. Moving forward, new resources will continue to be added to the Hub to meet the evolving needs of sports participants and to sustain emphasis on prioritizing mental well-being.
About the Coaching Association of Canada:
The Coaching Association of Canada unites stakeholders and partners in its commitment to raising the skills and stature of coaches, and ultimately expanding their reach and influence. Through its programs, the CAC empowers coaches with knowledge and skills, promotes ethics, fosters positive attitudes, builds competence, and increases the credibility and recognition of coaches. For more information, please visit www.coach.ca and follow us on Facebook, X Instagram or LinkedIn.
For more information and interview opportunities, please contact:
Arushi G Phillips
Manager, Communications and Public Relations - Special Project
Coaching Association of Canada
aphillips@coach.ca
