More than sport: Curlers reflect on mental health, balance, and support
October marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a global initiative emphasizing empathy, understanding, and collective action. Behind the intense competitions, long seasons, and national expectations lie stories of curlers demonstrating resilience, connection, and courage.
Finding strength through conversation
For Canada’s Brett Gallant, working with a sports psychologist is essential to maintaining his mental well-being. He shared,
“When you’re in these kinds of high-pressure events all the time, it’s nice to have some training on how to deal with it. It’s also good to have someone to reach out to if you’re struggling.”
Gallant credits his wife, fellow curler Jocelyn Peterman, for helping him maintain balance:
“She knows the pressures and feelings that come with sport. It’s nice to have people to lean on, to talk to, that’s important.”
About his team, he added,
“Everyone’s dealing with stresses and anxieties, and we’re learning how to deal with them better. It’s OK to not be perfectly OK.”
Challenges after Olympic competition
Following the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, Canada’s Rachel Homan experienced one of the toughest moments in her career, narrowly missing medal contention in mixed doubles by mere millimeters.
This highlights the mental toll elite curling athletes endure beyond their physical performance.
Summary
This insight into curlers' experiences reveals the crucial role of mental health awareness, emotional support, and open communication in competitive sports.