Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes and coaches are set to receive $3.11 million in funding for mental health services this winter. The announcement was made by Secretary of Sport Adam van Koeverden, an Olympic kayak champion, in Montreal ahead of the upcoming 2026 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy.
Van Koeverden emphasized the importance of providing this funding well in advance of the Olympics and Paralympics to ensure continuous support for athletes without any gaps in services. He stressed that mental health services are crucial for athlete well-being and performance, highlighting that certainty in funding is essential for running successful programs.
The funding, part of a $16-million commitment from the federal government’s 2024 budget to support athletes and coaches’ well-being, aims to address mental health issues, prevent maltreatment, and promote diversity and accessibility. The allocation for the 2025-26 period will be divided among the national network of sport institutes, the Canadian Olympic Committee, and the Canadian Paralympic Committee.
Karen O’Neill, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, emphasized the importance of mental health support in creating a healthy and athlete-centered high-performance environment. A portion of the funding will go towards Game Plan, a collaborative effort to provide athletes with development and wellness support throughout their careers and into retirement.
Van Koeverden highlighted the athletes’ reliance on performance psychologists for support, noting the significance of having a consistent source of assistance for their mental well-being. The move to prioritize mental health services aligns with global efforts, such as the International Olympic Committee’s Mental Health Action Plan, which aims to address mental health challenges faced by elite athletes.
