IIHF Celebrates World Mental Health Day: Fostering a Supportive Hockey Community

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has taken a significant step forward in prioritizing mental health by launching a series of initiatives aimed at supporting the well-being of athletes, coaches, officials, and fans across the hockey world. As part of its commitment, the IIHF marked World Mental Health Day with a powerful message: mental health is a universal human right.

In a statement, IIHF President Luc Tardif emphasized the importance of mental well-being, saying, “Having good mental health is not a luxury – it’s a necessity.” Tardif encouraged everyone in the ice hockey community to speak up, seek help, and support one another. This message sets the tone for the IIHF’s multifaceted approach to addressing mental health concerns.

Comprehensive Support Initiatives

The IIHF’s efforts are centered around several key initiatives designed to promote mental health literacy and provide support. These include:

• Education and Awareness Campaigns: The IIHF is promoting mental health literacy throughout its tournaments, member national associations, and events. This includes the recent Global Hockey Forum in Nice, France, where experts discussed mental health in hockey.
• Mental Health Resources for Athletes: The IIHF is providing access to wellness tools and support networks during competitions, ensuring athletes have the resources they need to manage stress and pressure.
• Partnerships with Mental Health Organizations: The IIHF is collaborating with experts to embed well-being in high-performance environments, further emphasizing its commitment to mental health.
• New E-Learning for Coaches: In the 2025-26 season, the IIHF will roll out an online mental wellness performance module to strengthen awareness and skills among team leaders.
• In-Event Wellness Support: The IIHF is establishing pre-event planning, in-tournament education, and post-event evaluations to create consistent care pathways for athletes.

HONE Athletics Partnership

A key partner in the IIHF’s mental health strategy is HONE Athletics. Piloted across four major IIHF tournaments in 2025, HONE’s platform has captured real-time mental wellness data, built culture-focused team environments, and empowered coaches with actionable insights. Key findings from the pilot include:

• Strong Engagement: Teams with early onboarding achieved up to 74% athlete participation before tournaments began.
• Universal Challenges: Fatigue and mental strain consistently ranked as top concerns for athletes.
• Actionable Insights: Coaches used anonymized data to adjust recovery protocols, schedules, and communication strategies.

A Collective Responsibility

The IIHF emphasizes that mental health affects everyone and requires a collective effort. To mark World Mental Health Day, IIHF-affiliated teams and players are invited to:

• Wear green tape or armbands in solidarity
• Participate in awareness activities
• Share personal stories using the hashtag #IIHFMindMatters

Expert Insights

Pete DeBoer, Team Canada’s assistant coach, highlighted the importance of mental health awareness in hockey: “Mental health awareness in our sport has come a long way. Today, it’s an integral part of coaching… Resources like Hone are essential to supporting athletes on and off the ice.”

Jessica Renney, founder of HONE Athletics, added: “Mental health is a critical issue in hockey, especially for athletes. While 30 to 50 percent of the general population seek support, only about 10 percent of athletes do. That’s why tools like Hone are essential.”

Moving Forward

The IIHF remains committed to promoting both physical excellence and mental resilience in ice hockey. By prioritizing mental health and well-being, the IIHF aims to create a sport culture where mental wellness is respected, supported, and prioritized – on and off the ice. As the organization looks ahead, it is clear that mental health will continue to be a key focus area.

In conclusion, the IIHF’s efforts to champion mental health awareness and support demonstrate a significant step forward for the organization and the hockey community. By working together, the IIHF can create a positive and supportive environment for all athletes, coaches, and fans.