What is the NHL Player Assistance Program?

The NHL Player Assistance Program offers confidential support for players dealing with mental health issues, substance abuse, and other off-ice challenges, with costs shared by the league and union.

How do players enter the NHL Player Assistance Program?

Players can voluntarily reach out for help or be mandated to enter the program following specific incidents, with administrators determining the next steps.

What is the goal of the NHL Player Assistance Program?

The program aims to provide tailored treatment and support for players, prioritizing their recovery and well-being, and reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health assistance.

Home / Sports / NHL Player Assistance: Breaking the Silence

NHL Player Assistance: Breaking the Silence

27 Jan

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Summary

NHL program offers confidential support for mental health and addiction.
Players share experiences to reduce stigma around seeking help.
Program aids players in recovery, prioritizing well-being over hockey.

NHL Player Assistance: Breaking the Silence

The NHL's Player Assistance Program, established 30 years ago, provides confidential support for players facing mental health challenges, substance abuse, and other off-ice issues. Linus Ullmark's recent decision to speak about his struggles with anxiety and panic attacks has prompted increased discussion around the program's importance and the need to reduce its associated stigma.

Players like Connor Ingram and Michael McCarron have shared their positive experiences with the program, emphasizing that seeking help is crucial for recovery and well-being. These testimonials aim to encourage more players to utilize the resources available, highlighting that the program offers tailored treatment plans and ongoing support.

NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh, a proponent of the program, stresses that entering assistance is a life-changing, not career-ending, event. The program's costs are jointly covered by the NHL and NHLPA, ensuring players receive necessary medical care without personal financial burden, reinforcing the league's commitment to athlete welfare.