Saint John boxer and world champion Charlie Cavanagh is following her intuition and stepping away from the sport. She says the decision to do so was in part due to her mental health challenges. Natalie Durand-Bush, a University of Ottawa sports psychology professor and the executive director of the Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport, weighs in on the courage it takes for athletes to step away from a sport and publicly acknowledge their struggles with mental health.

Tennis Canada has teamed up with the University of Ottawa on a comprehensive plan to enhance the mental health of its athletes. Recognizing the need for a layered, structured and well-researched approach to help with the inherent pressures and anxiety that come with competing at the highest levels of the sport, the model is based on the Mental Health Strategy for High Performance Sport in Canada.

Tennis Canada has partnered with the University of Ottawa, Own the Podium, the Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport (CCMHS), and Game Plan to design, implement and evaluate a comprehensive long-term strategy to improve the mental health and wellness of Tennis Canada athletes, coaches, parents, and staff.