Athlete Wellness

Game Plan

Game Plan, powered by Deloitte, is Canada’s total athlete wellness program that strives to support national team athletes to live better and more holistic lives. Game Plan is a collaboration between the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), Sport Canada and Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN) to provide the best resources this country has to offer to our national team athletes.

FEI Toolkit

The FEI Athlete Toolkit includes sport psychology and mental training techniques tailored to equestrians.

Mental Health

Just as you stay committed to the soundness of your horse and your own physical health, we want to encourage you to talk about your mental health as well. Mental health is just as important as physical health; getting the support you need is no different than seeing your doctor or calling the vet for your horse for a physical ailment.

If there’s a crisis:
  • Go to your nearest emergency room.
  • Call 9-1-1 or your family physician.
  • If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide:
    • Call your local 24hr crisis center;
    • Call the Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 1-833-456-4566 (24/7) or text 45645 (4 pm to 12 am ET); or,
    • Call the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868.
  • If you have participated as an athlete in the Athlete Assistance Program, National Team Program, Pan American Games or Olympic/Paralympics, or have been an Olympic/Paralympic coach, call the 24hr Morneau Shephell hotline: 1-844-240-2990. If you are outside of North America, click here to find the applicable international dialing number (let them know that you are part of Game Plan).

Athlete 365

The International Olympic Committee’s Athlete365 supports athletes on and off the field of play through relevant advice, services and tools. Browse articles and sign up for courses covering a wide range of health and wellness topics.

Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport (CCMHS)

The CCMHS is a registered charity supporting the mental health and performance of competitive and high-performance athletes, coaches, and performing artists. The CCMHS provides Canada-wide in-person and telehealth mental support services for eligible individuals.

Wellness Together Canada

Wellness is a journey, not a destination. Every day, we can each take a step toward our own well-being. Wellness Together Canada is here to support you on that journey. It was created in response to a rise in mental health and substance use concerns since the COVID-19 pandemic. It is funded by the Government of Canada.

General Resources

Crisis Services Canada

CSC is a national network of existing distress, crisis and suicide prevention line services. CSC is committed to supporting any person living in Canada who is affected by suicide, in the most caring and least intrusive manner possible.

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Government of Canada Mental Health Services

The Government of Canada supports the mental health of all Canadians. The Mental health support page provides links to crisis services and agencies in Canada.

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Hope for Wellness Help Line

Available to all Indigenous peoples across Canada who need immediate crisis intervention. Experienced and culturally sensitive help line counsellors can help if you want to talk or are distressed. Telephone and online counselling are available in English and French. On request, telephone counselling is also available in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut. Call 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) or connect to the online Hope for Wellness chat.

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Kids Help Phone

Available 24 hours a day to Canadians aged 5 to 29 who want confidential and anonymous care from professional counsellors. Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.

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Mental Health Commission of Canada

The MHCC leads the development and dissemination of innovative programs and tools to support the mental health and wellness of Canadians.

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Accidents & Return to Sport Rule

Accidents & Return to Sport Rule is applicable to all competitors (including foreign) at EC sanctioned events and applies to falls/accidents that occur at the event location.

All competitors that have had a fall during training/warm up on the Competition site or in the Competition Arena/Field of Play must be assessed by qualified medical personnel onsite before they either take part in another test or competition. Competitors must not re-mount their horse until this assessment has been completed. The competitor is solely responsible for ensuring the onsite medical assessment takes place by the onsite qualified medical personnel.

In the event of a fall/accident where a concussion can be reasonably suspected,(not limited to a direct blow to the head or loss of consciousness), the competitor must receive medical clearance by qualified medical personnel onsite, through the EC Accident Injury Report Form before continuing. The competitor is solely responsible for ensuring the onsite medical assessment takes place by the onsite qualified medical personnel. If the competitor refuses to be evaluated, he/she is disqualified from the event.

The full rule can be found in the EC Rules, Section A, General Regulations, Article 101 .

Parachute Canada

Creating a safer Canada by preventing serious and fatal injuries through evidence-informed solutions that advocate and educate.

CDC’s HEADS UP

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s HEADS UP to Youth Sports is an online Concussion Training for Coaches shares the latest guidance on concussion safety and prevention. The training provides essential information to help coaches spot signs and symptoms of possible concussions and steps to take if one occurs.

Concussion Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms generally show up soon after the injury. However, you may not know how serious the injury is at first and some symptoms may not show up for hours or days.