CONNECTED is a mental health and wellness initiative to help connect the dots, because it can be difficult to navigate the system.
CONNECTED is designed to help all that have fallen through the cracks in our present medical system. We support people and/or athletes, young and old, that do not understand the system, are unable to navigate the system, have been failed by the system, or have been forgotten by their peers or their sport.
Mental health is defined as a person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being. Mental Health deals with cognitive, behavioural, and emotional abilities. It is how we feel, how we think, how we interact and how we deal with our day to day lives.
THE KEY ELEMENTS OF CONNECTED
KERRY GOULET
Global Director and Co-founder of StopConcussions Foundation. Kerry has been working in the concussion space for well over 10 years. He has had a history of mental health issues in his early 30’s and then dealt with family members with mental disorders for the last 15 years. He has a clear understanding of the trials and tribulations dealing with mental health from a personal and family side as well as managing the system for the care of a loved one.
KEITH PRIMEAU
Primeau was born in Whitby, Ontario. Former NHL athlete, Co-founder & Ambassador to StopConcussions and author, Keith Primeau, suffered several concussions during his tenure in major league hockey, which forced him into early retirement. Since retiring, Keith remains close to the NHL, and is extremely involved in bringing awareness to concussion prevention and management. Through public engagements, keynote speaking and seminars, Keith educates people on this topic that hits so close to home.
PAUL ROSEN
Rosen mastered the game of sledge hockey, becoming goalie for Canada’s national team from 2000 until he retired just after the Vancouver Paralympics in 2010. A member of the 2006 Gold medal sledge hockey team, in 3 Paralympics, and five world championships. Rosen suffered several concussions during his professional career. Paul’s history with concussions led to several mental health issues. Becoming addicted to painkillers and experiencing suicidal thoughts. After a road of recovery he is now capable to talk openly.
CHRIS HEID
Chris is an ex-professional hockey player of 11 years. Chris’s hockey career ended early due to multiple concussions and a long battle of post-concussion syndrome he dove into the next chapter of life and became a University graduate in mental coaching from the University of Salzburg. Chris offers individual coaching for any mental issue as well as an online master course that is scientifically designed to make hockey players become confident, happy, resilient and mentally tough. www.underthebucket.com
RON ELLIS
Ron Ellis, a 15 year veteran of the NHL and one of the most beloved Toronto Maple Leafs of all time, suffered from mental health issues. He is the author of the book, OVER THE BOARDS, an inspirational autobiography that talks about his peaks and the valleys of being a professional athlete. He does not shy away from describing his challenges with depression and adapting to life after hockey. OVER THE BOARDS chronicles a story of challenges and how Ron Ellis was able to face them head on. His story takes you on a journey of mental health and the trials and tribulations coping with it.
STOPCONCUSSIONS
The StopConcussions Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that educates players, administrators, physicians, coaches and officials on the cause, effects and consequences of concussions and neurotrauma injuries in sports. The organization consists of four main pillars: Prevention, Education, Management and Research. Our campaign, Connected, will endeavour to assist those who suffer with mental health issues post concussion.
Brain and spinal cord injury may result in life-changing consequences, and yet to this very day, no “standard of practice” has been implemented into areas with a higher frequency of serious injury such as hockey, football, rugby, and soccer.
With StopConcussion affiliates located in the USA, as well as Germany we are working on bringing concussion and neurotrauma awareness to a global level.
SHOOT FOR A CURE
For over 30 years the CSRO/ASRO has worked tirelessly to raise funds for spinal cord injury research.
By educating the community about upcoming opportunities for advocacy, the latest in research, and how we can make a difference in research for SCI we are making change happen. We envision a world without spinal cord injuries, and we know that research is our greatest hope.
StopConcussions works in partnership with the Canadian Spinal Research Organization to raise funds, increase awareness and assist in prevention and cure of neurotrauma injuries.
CSRO
For over 30 years the CSRO/ASRO has worked tirelessly to raise funds for spinal cord injury research.
By educating the community about upcoming opportunities for advocacy, the latest in research, and how we can make a difference in research for SCI we are making change happen. We envision a world without spinal cord injuries, and we know that research is our greatest hope.
StopConcussions works in partnership with the Canadian Spinal Research Organization to raise funds, increase awareness and assist in prevention and cure of neurotrauma injuries.
SAFE4SPORTS
Understanding the dangers of brain and spinal cord injury and knowing more must be done, the Safe4Sports Prevention Program was created. The program’s main sources of intervention are: physical preparation, protective equipment, on-ice situational awareness, sportsmanship and ethics. Safe4Sport provides in-depth resources and guidance to the stakeholders of sport, players, coaches, administrators, parents and officials.
Increased awareness and prevention instruction is a must. Through the information, resources, and services provided by our program, participants gain the essential knowledge to create safer environments for their respective sports.
We prepare athletes physically and now must elevate our program to include Mental Training. One of the hurdles an athlete (young or mature) can experience is the ability to deal with the pressure in today’s society to be the best.
Safe4Sports has conducted both dry and on ice seminars around the world including Germany, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. Prevention of serious injury in sports is the ultimate goal.
Everyone deserves to play safe.
SHIFT CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT
Navigating concussion recovery can be an extremely challenging and isolating experience. As many as 20% of individuals who suffer a concussion will go on to experience persistent and potentially disabling symptoms lasting months and in some cases years – impairing performance at work, school, preventing return to sport, and ultimately reducing quality of life.
What’s more, 1 in 5 individuals may experience mental health symptoms that persist for months post-concussion. Challenges with depression, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and substance abuse are not uncommon and can pose a significant barrier to recovery when left untreated. These challenges may be even more pronounced in light of the COVID-19 pandemic as concussion suffers are left shuttered in their homes without access to their usual rehabilitation supports – unsure who to reach out to for help.
For this reason, Shift Concussion has gone virtual, offering video concussion assessment and rehabilitation via telehealth!
Using a secure and private platform, individuals struggling with concussion symptoms can be matched with a highly trained rehabilitation professional (eg. Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist) from the Shift Concussion Team to help evaluate the injury and provide an individualized treatment plan – as well as make appropriate referrals when additional assessments or therapies may be required.
Virtual visits allow Shift Providers to monitor concussion recovery progress, provide education, evaluate and troubleshoot symptoms, provide self-care strategies to reduce those symptoms, prescribe and progress home exercises plans, and ultimately support a positive pathway to recovery.
If you require help from a Shift Concussion Provider, please don’t hesitate to reach out:
1-855-223-1002
concussion@theshift.ca
