A new app is helping young hockey players to deal with stress, both on the ice and outside the rink. The BeGameReady app features pre-game tips, post-game strategies, a daily mood tracker and a problem-solving guide. There are also strategies for dealing with stress and healthy eating tips. It helps to keep players in touch with their state of mind, making them realize they may need to speak to someone about what’s going through their head.
The app was launched by the Royal Ottawa Hospital, Do It For Daron and the Ottawa Senators Foundation on Tuesday morning. The program allows players to send ‘‘power pucks” of positive messaging to team members before they hit the ice. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, up to one in five young people are affected by mental illness. Playing sports like hockey can help, but the pressure involved can have a negative impact.