More than sport: Curlers reflect on mental health, balance, and support
October marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a global initiative promoting empathy, understanding, and collective action. Beyond intense competitions and national expectations, curlers share stories of resilience, connection, and courage.
Finding strength through conversation
For Canada’s Brett Gallant, collaborating with a sports psychologist is key to sustaining his mental health.
“When you’re in these kinds of high-pressure events all the time, it’s nice to have some training on how to deal with it. It’s also good to have someone to reach out to if you’re struggling.”
Gallant highlights the support from his wife and fellow curler, Jocelyn Peterman.
“She knows the pressures and feelings that come with sport. It’s nice to have people to lean on, to talk to, that’s important.”
He added about his team, “Everyone’s dealing with stresses and anxieties, and we’re learning how to deal with them better. It’s OK to not be perfectly OK.”
Challenges after the Olympics
Following the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, Canada’s Rachel Homan faced a difficult period after narrowly missing medal contention in mixed doubles, a defining moment in her career.
Author's summary: Curlers openly share their mental health struggles and the critical role of support systems in managing anxiety and high pressure in sport.
Would you like the text to be formatted for web display or print?