Talk about your problems, talk about the demons that are eating us away from the inside, and ask for help. Not long ago, these steps toward healing the soul would have been viewed as a sign of weakness. Especially from a man, even more so from a professional athlete.
• Also read: Excellent news about Samuel Girard
Fortunately, the company no longer exists. Like Carey Price and Jonathan Drouin before him, Samuel Girard retired from active sports at the end of November. For a month, he instead chose treatment for severe anxiety and depression disorders that led to alcohol abuse.
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While visiting the Bell Center with his Colorado Avalanche teammates yesterday afternoon, the 25-year-old from Roberval agreed to talk about that process that led to him missing 20 games.
“I needed this break to refocus on myself and my values. It takes a lot of courage, but I'm happy. “I wasn’t going in the right direction,” he said, without going into detail.
“Today I'm fine, I'm relieved. I have less weight on my shoulders and less fear,” he continued.
The defender sent kind words to his family, his wife, his teammates and the members of the organization who fully supported him throughout this ordeal.
“It definitely helps a lot. After two or three days, I still wondered if I had done the right thing. Because everyone supported me, it was easier for me to think.”
I don't want to be here anymore
Furthermore, everyone found it to be a great lesson in courage. Drouin, who could understand his teammate well, made sure to support him by texting him regularly. As for his coach, he emphasized his bravery even though he lost an important part of his defensive brigade.
“No matter what you do in life, it takes a lot of courage to admit that you need help. This is even more true if you are a public figure. You get criticized, whether it’s warranted or not,” Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said.
It is becoming increasingly common for players to reach out to the NHL development program for help. The NHL Players' Association recognizes this reality and last week launched a program to educate athletes about mental health.
An initiative that Girard welcomed.
“This is big news. It will help many people. “If we can save one person in the world, that would be a good thing,” said the defense attorney. Our mental health needs to be taken care of. Because you can get to a point where you don’t want to be here anymore.”
An inspiration
Thanks to the help he received in December, Girard appears to be back on his feet.
“I understand life better. I used to think you didn't talk about your problems. I always thought I had to control it myself,” he said.
His return to the ice is also going well. He played in the Avalanche's final seven games, slowly returning to the duties he had previously held.
“I feel he is in an excellent state of mind. He is happy, healthy and enjoying the game and his teammates again. We feel very confident. “He’s playing very well,” assured Bednar.
“G’s story was an inspiration to everyone,” he added.
And hopefully not just for the world of hockey.