Episode #3 - Mental Health Literacy

"It's okay not to be okay".

This episode is an educational discussion for coaches and student-athletes . Krista Van Slingerland is our guest and she educates us on an important topic in today's society and sporting landscape - Mental Health Literacy In Sports.

Krista is the co-founder, and recently named executive director, of the CANADIAN CENTRE FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SPORT. Based in Ottawa, the CCMHS is a not-for-profit organization supporting the mental health and performance of competitive and high-performance athletes and coaches. It is the first centre in North America to offer collaborative sport-focused mental health care services designed to help athletes and coaches achieve their performance goals while preserving their mental health and well-being.

Krista has turned her own struggle with a mental health disorder into a career focused on working with athletes, coaches, parents and administrators to make Canadian sport a safer and more inclusive place for athletes struggling with mental illness. You should also know that Krista has learned a lot about the coach-athlete relationship through her experience as a standout collegiate basketball player at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa. She is also a researcher in the field of applied sport psychology.

Krista is a good follow on Twitter (@KVanSlingerland) and she can be reached at the website: ccmhs-ccsms.ca. Here you can learn about their team of distinguished experts and find some practical tools to assist you. Below are some resources recommended by Krista.

Crisis Resources:

Kids Help Phone - Text "CONNECT" to 686868, kidshelphone.ca

Youthspace.ca - Text (778) 783-0177, youthspace.ca

Online Resources:

Better Help - betterhelp.com (online access to professional counsellors)

The LifeLine App - thelifelinecanada.ca (direct access to phone, online chat, text and email crisis support)

Big White Wall Canada - bigwhitewall.ca (anonymous peer support community accessible anytime and anywhere)

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