A Canadian researcher with a brother who works for the NHL says there’s a reason professional hockey players don’t seek psychological help when they need it.
Katie Crawford, a student in the University of British Columbia’s kinesiology program, said cultural and systemic factors play a role and the league hasn’t done enough to support its players.
Their study was released after the death of former Vancouver Canucks forward Rick Rypien. Rypien died of suicide on August 15, 2001 and had a history of clinical depression.
“Despite several extreme and unfortunate cases, and the fact that numerous athletes have openly struggled with mental health issues, the NHL has not really taken concrete steps to provide adequate and effective support,” Crawford said in a UBC news release Wednesday.
She and co-author Mark Beauchamp, a UBC professor, say other studies have looked at the mental health of elite athletes, but none have looked specifically at why male hockey players don’t seek help when they need it.
Previous studies suggest that up to a third of current and former professional athletes suffer from mental health problems.
Crawford and Beauchamp’s work examined why these athletes are reluctant to seek assistance, and when they do, why they are not getting what they actually need.
They interviewed a panel of current and recently retired players, most of whom (18 out of 19) have NHL experience.
According to Crawford, whose father was a former coach and whose brother works in the NHL, the results of the small, peer-reviewed study suggest there are key obstacles.
Some athletes told her they minimized or dismissed their conditions because they were concerned about being labeled selfish. Instead, they only got help when it was seen as benefiting the entire team, they said in their interviews.
Some said they were concerned about the mental health attention they might get, or that they were seen as asking too much and “sucking up resources,” Crawford quoted as saying.
Some said they observed the experiences of others and made assumptions from them.
“We’ve seen that if a team member has had a bad experience getting help from a professional, it will spread like wildfire and completely shut down any future help-seekers on the team,” Crawford said.
Many shared that they didn’t have much confidence in the team’s staff: they worried that if it got back to the general managers or coaches, they would lose their jobs.
Concerned about job security and future prospects, the players said they had become suspicious of team doctors and sports psychologists.
Crawford and Beauchamp said something that became apparent through the interviews was a “general culture of silence and distrust” within hockey organizations.
The pair hope the study will help accelerate what they call slow change, though they say “a lot more” is needed from the top of organizations like the NHL.
“The only thing that most participants expressed was that there was a lot of talk in the industry, but not much has changed systemically at the grassroots level,” Crawford said.
Efforts to destigmatize, such as B. Players who share their personal stories make a difference and change what it means to me to be a “good team player”.
That definition, Crawford said, moves from someone who is “tough and tough” to someone who is more mindful, leads by example, and asks for help when needed.
Also, she said, some teams already have good systems in place with ethical staff and healthcare professionals who respect confidentiality.
“These teams are seeing a massive uptake of players using mental health resources,” Crawford said.
There is also an NHL Players’ Association hotline for those who need it.
But Crawford and Beauchamp say the study shows more is needed.
“There needs to be precedent from the top of leagues and players’ associations to ensure fundamental, consistent, ethical and confidential support to teams and their players across the board.”
CTV News has reached out to the NHL and NHLPA for comment.
If you or someone you know is going through a crisis, here are some resources to help you:
- Canada Suicide Prevention Helpline (1-833-456-4566)
- Addiction and Mental Health Center (1 800 463-2338)
- Crisis Services Canada (1-833-456-4566 or SMS 45645)
- Child Support Phone (1-800-668-6868)
If you need immediate help, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.