TORONTO — The NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) is broadening its mental health training program, which was initiated about a year ago, to include players in the American Hockey League (AHL) and the ECHL. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the NHLPA and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) and was announced on Tuesday. The First Line program, developed alongside the Mental Health Commission of Canada, will now be accessible to over 1,000 players who are under AHL and ECHL contracts, as opposed to NHL contracts.
According to Marty Walsh, the executive director of the NHLPA, this expansion signifies a tremendous advancement for the sport, ensuring that all professional hockey players associated with both the NHLPA and PHPA can now access peer-to-peer mental health education. He emphasized that this initiative is part of an ongoing commitment to address the distinctive mental health needs that professional hockey players experience. With the pressures related to performance, physical exertions, and career transitions, players frequently encounter challenges that necessitate specialized support.
The First Line program stands apart from the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, as it aims to serve as a preventative tool. It provides players with resources to better grasp mental health issues and identify potential warning signs in themselves, their teammates, and their loved ones. Chuck Thuss, a former player and mental health advocate, has been appointed to manage the program for PHPA members. The NHLPA revealed that, since its inception in January 2024, more than 85 of its members have engaged in the training.
Jay Harrison, a retired professional player who now serves as the NHLPA’s wellness, transition, and performance specialist, noted that the impact of the First Line program has been significant. Players are reportedly feeling more empowered to discuss mental health openly, experiencing reduced stigma surrounding mental health challenges, and developing a better understanding of the distinctive mental health issues that elite athletes may face. As a result, players are becoming increasingly willing and able to engage in conversations related to mental health.
