Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes and coaches are set to receive $3.11 million in funding for mental health services this winter. Secretary of Sport Adam van Koeverden, an Olympic kayak champion, announced the allocation in Montreal ahead of the 2026 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy. Van Koeverden emphasized the importance of providing these services well in advance of the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics to ensure athletes have continuous access to vital mental health support.
The funding, part of the federal government’s $16 million commitment outlined in the 2024 budget to enhance the well-being of athletes and coaches, will be distributed over two years. The initiative aims to address maltreatment, support individuals dealing with concussions and mental health challenges, and promote inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility within the sporting community.
The $3.11 million for the 2025-26 period will be divided among the national network of sport institutes ($1.5 million), the Canadian Olympic Committee ($1.46 million), and the Canadian Paralympic Committee ($150,000). Karen O’Neill, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, highlighted the critical role of mental health support in fostering a healthy, athlete-centered high-performance environment that prioritizes well-being.
A portion of the funding will be directed to Game Plan, a collaborative initiative involving the aforementioned entities, aimed at supporting athletes throughout their careers and into retirement. This comprehensive approach underscores the importance of mental health services in nurturing athletes’ overall wellness and performance.
Van Koeverden stressed the significance of athletes being able to rely on these services for support, noting the pivotal role of performance psychologists in assisting athletes with managing stress and anxiety. The International Olympic Committee’s Mental Health Action Plan, launched in 2023, recognizes the prevalence of mental health challenges among elite athletes, with studies indicating that 34% experience symptoms of anxiety and depression.