“Where do I go?”
That was the question several people asked the last couple of races. Where do I go to find help for my situation? How do I find the answers to help my child not feel scared, reduce their worry about being injured, or deal with the stresses they face.
Each situation is different and requires a solution that will guide, assist, and promote well-being. The solution may be single or multi-faceted in its design. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help us through these times. By acting early, we can start the process before things reach a critical point.
There are many community resources that assist people in dealing with these situations. They include your family Doctor, who can be a great resource for referrals and can sometimes expedite support. There is a wide range of mental health professionals, such as Registered Social Workers (RSW), Master Social Workers (MSW), Psychotherapists, Psychologists, and Psychiatrists. Some organizations such as Kids Help Phone Line, #211, Suicide lines, and other community programs will have counselors available to talk to as well.
Most employee benefits have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that puts you in touch with the needed counsellors to deal with any situation.
I have contacted local municipality ‘Mental Health Departments’ and local offices of the ‘Canadian Mental Health Association’ in a few areas of Ontario to help someone who needed it.
Guidance counselors and even your local Clergy, if available, can help.
The added pressures of competing in a sport have created its own field of specialists, Sports Psychologists, and Mental Health Coaches that can help. Even reaching out to others in motocross to start the discussion is a good step.
It does not matter if you are an athlete, parent, or family member; it is okay not to be okay. There is help out there, but we must take the first step in asking for help.
I hope this helps provide the answer for those who are asking “Where do I go?”
Canadian Mental Health Association www.cmha.ca
Canadian Sports Psychology Association www.cspa-acps.com