Mental Health
and Concussions

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.

Chris Heid

Chris Heid is a retired Canadian professional hockey player, and now, a professional hockey coach in Germany. He also have a University degree in Mental Coaching from the University of Salzburg in Austria. The past couple of years he has focused on Mental Coaching mostly with athletes to help them improve their mental ability for sport.

underthebucket.com

RECONNECT – STAY CONNECTED

CONNECTED is our initiative for Mental Health and wellness in partnership with Shoot for a Cure and Canadian/American Spinal Research Organization.

Our goal is to ensure that individuals in need are given access to the proper care for their unique mental health and wellness needs.

“One in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives.”

connectedmentalhealth.com

Safe4Sports Prevention Program

Safe4Sports prevention program is compromised of seminars that will incorporate Mental Health Training in Sports. We currently 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. Many individuals have expressed post-injury stress and anxiety.

Our findings have shown that these neurological issues can lead to severe depression, addiction, and in many cases, suicide.

Learn more on stopconcussions.com/concussion-prevention-program

IN CANADA

SHIFT CONCUSSIONS MANAGEMENT

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 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 exercise plans, and ultimately support a positive pathway to recovery.
www.shiftconcussion.ca
Email: concussion@theshift.ca
Phone: 1-855-223-1002 x 2

GENWELL PROJECT

A registered Canadian NFP, whose mission is to make the world a happier and healthier place by reminding people about the importance of face to face social connection and inspiring them to take action.
Email: info@GenWellProject.org
https://genwellproject.org/

C M H A…CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION

Mental health is not only the avoidance of serious mental illness. Your mental health is affected by numerous factors from your daily life, including the stress of balancing work with your health and relationships. In this section you will find resources to help you stay mentally fit and healthy. The head office is in Toronto Canada and both Shift Concussion Management and Concussion Legacy Foundation will work in conjunction with us and the CMHA.
www.cmha.ca

CANADA CRISIS CENTRES

The new Canada Suicide Prevention Service (CSPS), by Crisis Services Canada, enables callers anywhere in Canada to access crisis support by phone, in French or English: toll-free 1-833-456-4566 Available 24/7

Crisis Text Line (Powered by Kids Help Phone) Canada Wide
free, 24/7 texting service is accessible immediately to youth anywhere in Canada by texting TALK to 686868 to reach an English speaking Crisis Responder and TEXTO to 686868 to reach a French-speaking Crisis Responder on any text/SMS enabled cell phone.

KidsHelpPhone Ages 20 Years and Under in Canada 1-800-668-6868 (Online or on the Phone)
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness 24/7 Help Line 1-855-242-3310
Canadian Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line 1-866-925-4419
Trans LifeLine – All Ages 1-877-330-6366
The Lifeline Canada Foundation

MENTAL HEALTH GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

Learn about mental health, mental illness and related services in Canada. Also get information on what we are doing on suicide prevention and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/topics/mental-health-wellness.html

THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION OF CANADA (MHCC)

Leads the development and dissemination of innovative programs and tools to support the mental health and wellness of Canadians. Through its unique mandate from the Government of Canada, the MHCC supports federal, provincial, and territorial governments as well as organizations in the implementation of sound public policy.
www.mentalhealthcommission.ca

IN THE USA

UNTOLD FOUNDATION

The UNTOLD Foundation is a leader in elevating the understanding of concussion symptoms after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their impact on mental health. We do this by promoting awareness through concussion education, advancing the use of standardized protocols, and providing resources for victims and their families. The UNTOLD Foundation will positively impact research in the fields of TBI, Anxiety, Depression, and Suicide through our Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).
https://www.theuntoldfoundation.org/

THE JED FOUNDATION

PROTECTING EMOTIONAL HEALTH. PREVENTING SUICIDE.  Transitioning into adulthood can bring big changes and intense challenges. The Jed Foundation (JED) empowers teens and young adults with the skills and support to grow into healthy,  www.jedfoundation.org Text “START”to 741-741or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

TEAM UP SPEAK UP

Shoot for a Cure and StopConcussions have become an associate partner with Concussion Legacy Foundation. We will represent their Team Up Speak Up initiative around the word. The goal of Team Up Speak UpTM is for as many athletes as possible to hear a simple speech. The core message: athletes have a responsibility to tell a team leader if they notice concussion signs in a teammate. The Team Up Speak Up Speech should come from a coach or team leader at the begining of an athletic season. Whatever role you play, you can help us change the concussion culture and improve concussion reporting. Take the pledge to give the speech or bring Team Up Speak Up to athletes in your community.

I AM HERE

I AM H·E·R·E is an initiative of Grant Halliburton Foundation and is committed to improving mental health for teens and young adults through a community-based, collaborative approach to providing help, education, resources and encouragement. The Coalition brings together key sectors of the community to work on improving the way we serve of youth mental health needs.
www.iamherecoalition.org

MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA (MHA)

Is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all Americans. Our work is driven by our commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need it; with recovery as the goal.
www.mhanational.org

AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

Established in 1987, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.
https://afsp.org/

USA CRISIS CENTERS

USA CRISIS CENTERS
If you are in crisis, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/our-crisis-centers/

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION RESOURCE CENTER

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders.
Tel: 1-866-615-6464
TTY: 1-301-443-8431
Email: nimhinfo@nih.gov
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml

IN AUSTRALIA

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT, MENTAL HEALTH

A person’s mental health affects how they feel, think, behave and relate to others. Mental illness covers a spectrum of disorders that vary in how severe they are and how long they last. Find out what we’re doing to improve mental health services and prevent mental illness in Australia.

Almost half of all Australians aged 16 to 85 years — 7.3 million people — will experience mental illness at some point in their life. The most common conditions are:

  • Anxiety
  • Affective disorders, especially depression
  • Substance use disorders, especially alcohol use

One-quarter of Australians aged 16 to 85 years — 4.2 million people — will experience an anxiety condition during their lifetime. Women are more likely than men to experience depression and anxiety.

These conditions can be serious but help is available.
Tel from anywhere in Australia: 131 114
https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/mental-health

IN new zealand

MINISTRY OF HEALTH, NZ GOVERNMENT

NEW ZEALAND
MINISTRY OF HEALTH, NZ GOVERNMENT
The Ministry of Heath welcomes the Government’s response to He Ara Oranga, the report of the independent Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction.

We have a stewardship role to transform New Zealand’s mental health and addiction system into one that puts people at the centre.

Mental health crisis services (for emergencies only). https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/health-care-services/mental-health-services/crisis-assessment-teams

https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/mental-health-and-addictions/mental-health

Get Involved

Whether you want to make a donation or get involved with our team, your help is always appreciated!

Donations are used towards funding educational material for coaches, parents, and teachers and allow us to continue our work in general. If you want to work with us or become an ambassador to help spread the word, please don’t hesitate to contact us! If you are interested, click one of the buttons on the right.

About Us

StopConcussions is a non-profit company, that aims to bring players, parents, coaches and officials information on brain concussions and their consequences in contact sports.

This website is here to help educate and are not intended to replace medical care and/or professional supervision. There is no substitute for a competent neurologist, physician, health professional or clinician when it comes to diagnosing and managing concussions. What StopConcussions offers is an insight into the nature of a brain injury. It is a guide to help you understand the cause, effects and consequences of concussions as well as how you can help reduce the incidences of the injury, manage the injury better and be able to ask all the right questions when dealing with a concussed individual.

The brain is complex, and each injury is personalized. Not only is every brain different, so is every concussion, and the therapy must be tailored to each individual. With this said, only a physician or qualified healthcare professional who has been educated in concussions can recommend a treatment and rehabilitation program. If you have any questions or concerns regarding a specific injury, contact your physician immediately.

Contact Us

Whether you need help dealing with a concussion, need information or other materials or are a concerned parent or coach, we are happy to help. Please contact us with any and all inquiries regarding our field. 

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