NHLPA Launches First Line Mental Health Initiative

The voluntary program, developed in partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada, aims to educate players about mental health and help them recognize potential warning signs.

The NHL Players' Association (NHLPA) has launched a mental health initiative called the First Line program, in partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
The program is designed to educate players about mental health, helping them to understand and recognize potential warning signs in themselves, teammates, and family members.
First Line is not therapy or counseling, but a preventive measure aimed at arming players with knowledge and skills to take the first step towards mental health awareness and support.
About 20 players, including Calgary captain Mikael Backlund and New York Rangers' Blake Wheeler, have taken the pilot class, which was developed in response to player feedback during the pandemic.
The program is voluntary and is being offered to interested players throughout the 2023-24 regular season.