OTTAWA, NIAGARA FALLS, TORONTO (Jan. 7, 2025) –The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), Opening Minds, a social enterprise division of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, along with the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) are proud to announce the rollout of the FIRST LINE Mental Health Training program for PHPA members.
Working with Opening Minds, the NHLPA created FIRST LINE and offered this customized program to its membership. The program was officially unveiled in January 2024 and to date, over 85 NHL players have taken the FIRST LINE training.
“Over the last year, the NHLPA has seen first-hand the importance of having this type of education in place for NHL Players and we are now pleased to provide this mental health initiative to the PHPA membership as well,” said Marty Walsh, NHLPA Executive Director. “To know that all professional hockey players in the NHLPA and the PHPA now have access to peer-to-peer mental health education, is a huge win for our game. Following the groundbreaking introduction of FIRST LINE for NHL players, this expansion reflects a continued effort to address the unique mental health needs of professional hockey players. With the intense pressures of performance, physical demands, and transitions in their careers, professional hockey players face challenges that require tailored support.”
Chuck Thuss, a former professional hockey player and mental health advocate, will deliver the FIRST LINE program to PHPA members, offering relatable insights and actionable strategies to build resilience and well-being.
“This initiative is a cue for other sports associations to follow suit,” said Charles Boyer, Manager, Client Development at Opening Minds. “By taking a proactive approach to mental health, the PHPA is not only supporting its players but also sending a powerful message that stigma has no place in sports or anywhere else.”
A United Front to Tackle Mental Health Challenges in Hockey
The PHPA’s adoption of FIRST LINE builds on its commitment to advocating for its players’ overall well-being.
“The PHPA is proud to collaborate with the NHLPA on such an important initiative for our collective membership who encounter many of the same issues and challenges in professional hockey,” said Brian Ramsay, PHPA Executive Director. “I would like to thank Marty Walsh and his team at the NHLPA, including PHPA Alumnus Jay Harrison, as well as the Mental Health Commission of Canada, for working with us to extend such a thriving program that will empower our Members to combat stigmas surrounding mental health.”
Dr. Jay Harrison, a Wellness, Transition, and Performance Specialist with the NHLPA and former NHL player, emphasized the importance of this milestone:
"We felt that it was important to support our fellow professional hockey brethren and are happy to contribute FIRST LINE for use by the PHPA. From an impact perspective, we are seeing that FIRST LINE is giving Players more confidence to talk about mental health with others, they are experiencing less stigma towards mental health challenges, and they are gaining a greater appreciation for the unique mental health challenges elite athletes may encounter. Most importantly, Players are feeling more capable and willing to engage in mental health conversations, which is really what FIRST LINE is all about."
Chad Scanlan, Brand Manager for The Working Mind, highlighted the ripple effect this program creates:
“Mental health doesn’t just matter in the arena—it matters in every area of life. By making this training available to professional players, the NHLPA and the PHPA are sending a valuable message to every hockey player across North America. As a dad and a hockey coach, I know how deeply it resonates to see mental health prioritized in this way. It shows players at all levels that they’re never alone.”
Inspiring Change Across Sports
From its development to its delivery, FIRST LINE, an adaptation of The Working Mind Sports, is breaking down barriers and normalizing mental health conversations in professional hockey. This initiative serves as a model for other sports organizations, paving the way for similar efforts to address stigma and promote well-being at every level. If you are interested in learning more about the Athletes and Coaches versions of The Working Mind Sports, please visit https://openingminds.org/training/twm/sports/.
