More Than Sport: Curlers Reflect on Mental Health, Balance, and Support
October is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, a global effort devoted to empathy, understanding, and collective action. Beyond the intensity of competitions, long seasons, and high national expectations, curlers share personal stories of resilience, connection, and courage.
Finding Strength Through Conversation
For Canada’s Brett Gallant, collaboration with a sports psychologist has become a fundamental part of protecting his mental health.
“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,”
he explained.
“It’s also good to have someone to reach out to if you’re struggling.”
Gallant attributes much of his balance to his wife and teammate, Jocelyn Peterman.
“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.”
Reflecting on his teammates, 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.”
Lessons After the Olympics
After the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games, Canada’s Rachel Homan faced one of the hardest moments in her career when she narrowly missed a medal in the mixed doubles competition — a loss determined by millimetres. Her journey highlights the emotional toll elite athletes often carry, along with the value of perseverance and emotional support within sport.
Author’s Summary
This article explores how elite curlers navigate mental health challenges through openness, professional guidance, and supportive relationships, showing that true strength often starts with vulnerability.