Haley Smith shares her story on Let’s Talk Day
Canadian cross country racer shares her struggles with mental health
Haley Smith is one of Canada’s top cross country athletes right now, but her success hasn’t always come easy.
The Uxbridge, Ont. athlete is coming off a breakout 2018 season. Smith started last year with a bronze medal at Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast. She finished with an incredible sixth place at 2018 UCI mountain bike world championships in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, book-ending a year of steady progression through the World Cup ranks with two big results.
Before she could compete with the world’s elite cross country racers, though, Smith had to learn to deal with her own mental health issues.
For Let’s Talk Day, Haley Smith shared her story in order to help break the stigma associated with mental health in sport. Watch her tell her story below:
Smith has been vocal about her ongoing relationship with mental health, including talking with Canadian Cycling Magazine in the past. The Norco Factory Team racer continues to share her story to help break the stigma surrounding mental health issues in sports, and in life beyond competition.
“Mental illness is something that affects us all,” Smith says, adding, “We all know, or are someone who is affected by mental health issues. You don’t have to do this alone.”
Resources for if you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness
Talking about mental health shouldn’t be limited to one day a year. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness, resources that can help.
Canadian Mental Health Association
Government of Canada’s range of mental health resources, support and services
For more information on Bell’s Let’s Talk initiative, how you can participate, and resources, visit the Let’s Talk Day page.
