Speaking Up: Athletes in Montreal and their Mental Health Struggles

Montreal is well-known for their world-class athletes in various sports, many of whom have struggled with mental health issues. These include Eugenie Bouchard, Clint Malarchuk and David Richer. Find out how they overcame their struggles with mental health.

Eugenie Bouchard and Her Struggles With Mental Health

Eugenie Bouchard, a Canadian tennis player from Montreal, has had great success on the court. In fact, she became a household name in 2014 when she reached the Wimbledon final. Since then, however, Bouchard has suffered multiple injuries, resulting in her struggles with anxiety and depression.

During an interview with The Guardian, Bouchard revealed how her mental health issues had an impact on her tennis career by saying, “It was affecting my performance, and then it became a vicious cycle. You’re playing badly, you’re unhappy, and then you can’t perform as well. It was like I was in a fog.”

Despite these struggles, Bouchard has worked hard in prioritizing her mental health and she has sought support with a sports psychologist. In an interview with the Montreal Gazette, Bouchard raised awareness on mental health issues in sports by sharing the importance of seeking help. “It’s important to know that it's okay to not be okay and to reach out for help when you need it. I think it's important for athletes to prioritize their mental health and to understand that it's just as important as their physical health."

Bouchard continues to compete in high levels of tennis and she uses her platform to advocate and raise awareness on athletes facing mental health issues.

Clint Malarchuk’s Journey Through Mental Health Challenges

Clint Malarchuk, a former Montreal Canadiens ice hockey goaltender, has greatly battled with his mental health. During a hockey game in 1989 between the Sabres and St. Louis Blues, Malarchuk survived a near-fatal injury when a skate blade slashed his throat and severed his jugular vein. Malarchuk eventually made a full recovery and returned to the ice. Despite his physical recovery, his mental health was at an all time low.

The trauma of the incident in 1989 took a toll on Malarchuk’s mental health. He faced challenges with PTSD, anxiety, depression, which ultimately led him to turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism. These challenges resulted in a suicide attempt and struggles with addiction.

In an interview with CBC, Malarchuk shared his battle with mental health, saying, “I couldn't handle the stress of being a professional athlete. I was always on edge, always nervous, and always worried about letting my team down."

Since then, through his courage and advocacy, Malarchuk has prioritized his mental health and sought treatment to overcome his mental health issues. Malarchuk released a book titled “A Matter of Inches”, outlining his mental health experience and illustrating the need for greater support for athletes facing mental health problems.

David Richer - Overcoming Obsessive Exercise and Eating Habits

David Richer is a former professional bodybuilder and fitness model from Montreal. Richer’s battle with mental health began in his teenage years when he developed body dysmorphia, a mental condition that results in the fixation over perceived flaws in one’s own appearance.

His struggle with body dysmorphia resulted in his obsession with weightlifting and bodybuilding and ultimately, led to his eating disorder. During an interview with The Gazette, Richer spoke about his obsessive exercise and eating habits, saying, "I was constantly comparing myself to others and never felt good enough. I would spend hours at the gym and limit my food intake to extreme levels."

Richer later consumed steroids to improve his fitness performance. While interviewed by Nick English from Muscle & Fitness, Richer revealed, “Steroids can amplify the negative thoughts and emotions that someone with a mental health condition is already dealing with. It's a dangerous combination.”

These behaviors took a toll on Richer as he struggled with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Despite these challenges, Richer obtained professional help and joined support groups to overcome his mental health issues. Today, Richer has his own fitness company which focuses on healthy exercising habits, as opposed to extreme measures.

The Montreal Athlete Mental Health Foundation (MAMHF)

These stories show that mental health struggles can affect anyone, regardless of their success or athletic ability. While not all athletes may be comfortable discussing their mental health struggles publicly, it is important to recognize that these issues can affect anyone. It is thereby essential for athletes to prioritize their mental well-being and seek help when needed. This is where the Montreal Athlete Mental Health Foundation (MAMHF) comes in. Our mission is to tear down the stigma surrounding mental health issues in sports and provide athletes with the necessary tools to prioritize their mental well-being. By donating to the MAMHF, athletes will gain support regarding their mental health and you will help ensure that mental health is taken seriously in the sports community. To learn more about our cause and how you can help, see our About Section.