Canada has allocated $3.11 million in funding for mental health services for its Olympic and Paralympic athletes and coaches this winter. Secretary of Sport Adam van Koeverden, a former Olympic kayak champion, revealed the funding in Montreal ahead of the 2026 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy. The announcement was made more than 100 days before the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics to ensure continuity in support services for athletes.

Van Koeverden emphasized the importance of providing certainty in funding to maintain essential mental health and performance services for athletes. The funding, part of the federal government’s $16 million commitment in the 2024 budget to enhance athlete well-being, aims to address maltreatment, support individuals with concussions and mental health issues, and promote inclusion and diversity.

The $3.11 million funding for 2025-26 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, highlighted the significance of mental health support in creating a healthy high-performance environment centered on athletes’ well-being.

A portion of the funding will be allocated to Game Plan, a collaborative initiative involving the three entities, to assist athletes in their development and wellness throughout their careers, including post-retirement. Van Koeverden stressed the importance of athletes being able to rely on resources like performance psychologists for support in managing stress and anxiety.

The International Olympic Committee’s Mental Health Action Plan, launched in 2023, highlighted the prevalence of anxiety and depression among elite athletes, with 34% experiencing these mental health challenges. The funding aims to ensure that Canadian athletes have access to vital mental health services as they prepare for the upcoming Winter Games in Italy.