Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes and coaches are set to receive $3.11 million in funding for mental health services during the upcoming winter season. The announcement was made by Secretary of Sport Adam van Koeverden, a former Olympic kayak champion, in Montreal ahead of the 2026 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy. Van Koeverden emphasized the importance of providing timely and consistent support to athletes, stating that mental health services are essential for athlete well-being and performance.
The funding, part of the federal government’s $16 million commitment in the 2024 budget to support athletes and coaches, aims to address maltreatment, concussions, mental health issues, and promote inclusion and diversity. A portion of the $3.11 million will be allocated to the national network of sport institutes, the Canadian Olympic Committee, and the Canadian Paralympic Committee to ensure mental health support is integrated into the high-performance environment.
Karen O’Neill, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, highlighted the importance of mental health support in creating athlete-centered environments that prioritize well-being. The funding will also support Game Plan, a collaborative effort, to assist athletes throughout their careers and into retirement. Van Koeverden emphasized the reliability of performance psychologists in supporting athletes’ mental health needs, citing his own experiences seeking assistance when feeling stressed or anxious.
The move to allocate funding for mental health services aligns with the International Olympic Committee’s Mental Health Action Plan, which aims to address the prevalence of anxiety and depression among elite athletes. This proactive approach underscores the commitment to supporting athletes’ holistic well-being ahead of the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in Italy.