More than sport: Curlers reflect on mental health, balance, and support

More than Sport: Curlers Reflect on Mental Health, Balance, and Support

October is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, a global effort to promote empathy, understanding, and collective action. Behind the intense competition, long seasons, and national pressures, curlers share stories of resilience, connection, and courage.

Finding Strength Through Conversation

For Canada’s Brett Gallant, working with a sports psychologist is vital to maintaining his mental well-being.

“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 and fellow curler, Jocelyn Peterman, for helping him stay balanced.

“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 Games

After the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games, Canada’s Rachel Homan experienced one of the toughest periods of her career, narrowly missing medal contention during a mixed doubles defeat.

This highlights the emotional intensity athletes face beyond the sport itself.

Summary

This reflection reveals how elite curlers prioritize mental health and rely on support systems to navigate the pressures of competition and personal challenges.

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World Curling Federation — 2025-11-04