Blake Wheeler helping kickstart NHLPA’s mental health training after his own experiences

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WASHINGTON Blake Wheeler put himself at Jay Harrisons disposal when his former Jets teammate started creating First Line, a health and wellness program through the NHL Players Association.

However he could help promote it or endorse it, Wheeler was determined to help Harrisons vision come to life.

Mental health had come to the forefront for Wheeler in the past couple years.

He had experienced some significant career-altering moments as his time in Winnipeg came to an end, including getting stripped of his captaincy as the club announced a culture change.

Its been something thats been a lifelong thing for me, but didnt really come to the surface until the last couple of years, Wheeler told The Post while sitting in his stall in the locker room in St. Louis. Thats when I had to do some things for myself and once I was able to kind of reach out and get help and talk to people, was when things started to really turn in a positive direction for me. Thats sometimes the hardest part.

Blake_Wheeler_helping_kickstart_NHLPA_s_mental_health_training_after_his_own_experiences Blake Wheeler was part of the first 20 NHLPA members to complete First Line training. Corey Sipkin for the NY PostYou battle, you battle, you battle, until youre able to just speak and share your experience with somebody. Its hard to really know whats going on or how things could be better potentially.

The Rangers forward was among the first 20 NHLPA members to complete First Line training led by Harrison, the associations wellness, transition and performance specialist.

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Check out more newslettersIt was an in-person, informal discussion-based session that lasted a few hours.

Players were able to reflect on their experiences and how it can be impactful to other players in the league.

Studies have found that up to 35 percent of elite athletes suffer from a mental health crisis.

So the NHLPA paired up with the Mental Health Commission of Canada to develop an education and leadership program designed to strengthen the mental health knowledge and skills of its members.

The MHCC is a non-governmental and nonprofit organization working toward improving mental health outcomes for all people in Canada.

While Wheeler had kept in touch with Harrison from their playing days, the American wing recognized the importance of his friends work.

His own experiences had given him a deeper understanding.

The biggest thing for Wheeler was to find the willingness to not face it alone, to have the strength to ask for help.

He now hopes to help other players do the same and change their life for the better, too.

I think the point of it is to almost be sort of like a middleman, Wheeler said. A lot of times these conversations are withheld just because guys are scared. You know, as young men, its sort of tough to be in touch with your feelings in the first place. Secondly, you dont know where that information is going, how its going to be used for you or against you.

So I think the real philosophy behind it is it to make it maybe an easier entry point for guys to talk amongst ourselves as teammates and if theres something that needs to be addressed or guys need help, then guys that have gone through the training can kind of point you in the right direction so that these things dont go just sort of boiling under the surface for long periods of time.

Blake_Wheeler_helping_kickstart_NHLPA_s_mental_health_training_after_his_own_experiences New York Rangers right wing Blake Wheeler (17) reacts after his shot goes pass Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) to score a goal during the first period when the New York Rangers played the Edmonton Oilers. Robert Sabo for NY PostThe Rangers recalled Anton Blidh from AHL Hartford in a precautionary move ahead of their back-to-back games against Washington this weekend.

After they were forced to go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen against the Blues, because of Mika Zibanejads lingering sickness, the Rangers want to have numbers just in case.

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