Boston Bruins goalie Linus Ullmark spoke candidly about his temporary leave of absence from the Ottawa Senators, citing mental health struggles as the primary reason for his departure. In an interview with TSN's Claire Hanna, Ullmark revealed that he had been dealing with anxiety and panic issues before being pulled from a game in December, leading him to seek help through the NHL's player assistance program.
Ullmark described feeling lost and uncertain about his identity, both on and off the ice. He felt like he had "lost myself" and was struggling to find motivation in hockey. The stress of social media rumors and speculation surrounding his reasons for leaving also took a toll on him.
The Senators' organization rallied around Ullmark, releasing a statement that confirmed his leave was for personal reasons and expressed their support for him. Ullmark stated that the team's message brought relief, knowing that everyone in the locker room understood what he was going through.
Despite being 14-8-5 with a strong statistical record this season, Ullmark is taking a cautious approach to his return to game action. He wants to prioritize his mental health and ensure that he feels whole again before returning to the ice.
Ullmark hopes that by speaking openly about his struggles, he can raise awareness for men's mental health and help reduce stigma around the issue. His experience serves as a reminder that even professional athletes are not immune to mental health challenges and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
The Senators' organization has been vocal in their support for Ullmark, emphasizing the importance of respecting his privacy during this time. The team's stance highlights the need for empathy and understanding when it comes to addressing mental health issues in sports.
As Ullmark works to regain his footing on the ice, his message serves as a beacon of hope for others who may be struggling with similar issues. By speaking candidly about his experiences, Ullmark is helping to break down barriers and promote a culture of openness and understanding in hockey.
Ullmark described feeling lost and uncertain about his identity, both on and off the ice. He felt like he had "lost myself" and was struggling to find motivation in hockey. The stress of social media rumors and speculation surrounding his reasons for leaving also took a toll on him.
The Senators' organization rallied around Ullmark, releasing a statement that confirmed his leave was for personal reasons and expressed their support for him. Ullmark stated that the team's message brought relief, knowing that everyone in the locker room understood what he was going through.
Despite being 14-8-5 with a strong statistical record this season, Ullmark is taking a cautious approach to his return to game action. He wants to prioritize his mental health and ensure that he feels whole again before returning to the ice.
Ullmark hopes that by speaking openly about his struggles, he can raise awareness for men's mental health and help reduce stigma around the issue. His experience serves as a reminder that even professional athletes are not immune to mental health challenges and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
The Senators' organization has been vocal in their support for Ullmark, emphasizing the importance of respecting his privacy during this time. The team's stance highlights the need for empathy and understanding when it comes to addressing mental health issues in sports.
As Ullmark works to regain his footing on the ice, his message serves as a beacon of hope for others who may be struggling with similar issues. By speaking candidly about his experiences, Ullmark is helping to break down barriers and promote a culture of openness and understanding in hockey.
this guy's been through so much 
and the NHL should really get its act together on mental health support 
i mean, 14 wins with anxiety? that's like me winning a prize for most stress 
ugh anyway, i love how he's speaking out though 
it's about time we start talking about this stuff in sports 
and i hope his message helps more guys feel comfortable opening up about their struggles 
I'm so glad Linus Ullmark is talking openly about his mental health struggles 
it's gonna make such a big difference for all the guys out there who feel like they're expected to be tough all the time 
Newsflash: mental health is just as important as physical health, you know? 
Can you imagine Linus Ullmark's contract situation being more stressful than trying to block a shot on the ice? "Hey, I'm feeling lost... can we just talk about my cap hit?" 
Anyway, mental health awareness is super important, especially for guys who are used to being tough and stoic all the time. Ullmark's gonna be a great role model by being open about it - hope he gets back on the ice and shows everyone what he's made of! 
️
... it's crazy how the pressure of social media can affect us, I remember feeling so overwhelmed by all the drama and negativity online 
... but anyway, Linus is super brave for speaking out about his struggles, it takes a lot of courage to be vulnerable like that 
... I'm rooting for him to get back on track and share more of his story, maybe we can help reduce stigma around men's mental health issues 
. It's about time we start talking about the importance of seeking help and reducing stigma around mental health issues in sports... but can't we do that without bombarding our screens with "inspiring" athlete stories all day long? 
u guys gotta remember that it's okay not be okay, we need more ppl like linus who r willing 2 talk about their struggles 
. Mental health struggles are real and we need more people like him speaking up about it 
. It's so refreshing to see a team standing by someone who needs help.
. I mean, we're already seeing more and more athletes speaking out about it, and it's still not being taken seriously enough 
It's just so toxic and hurtful to people who are already struggling with their own issues 
.
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. Like, who else would be willing to have an uncomfortable convo with the media about their anxiety issues? And honestly, I think it's awesome that he's using his platform to raise awareness and help reduce stigma around mental health in sports 
, and I'm so glad to see the Senators' org supporting him every step of the way 
. It takes a lot of courage to admit when we're not okay, especially in an industry like sports where there's a ton of pressure to perform. I'm glad the Senators' organization is supporting him and helping to raise awareness about men's mental health 
.
️. It's a reminder that our online presence doesn't define us, and it's okay to take a step back and prioritize ourselves when we need to.
, 75% of male athletes experience some form of mental health issue, with 25% experiencing anxiety & depression. 
The NHL's player assistance program has helped over 500 players since its inception in 2010 
!
But more importantly, he's prioritizing his mental health & seeking help - a total game-changer for him & the team! 
According to a study from 2019 
, men are 3x less likely to seek mental health treatment due to stigma & fear of being seen as "weak". Ullmark's openness is helping to break that barrier! 
, which is essential in promoting a culture of empathy and openness in sports 
️.
i think its awesome that linus ullmark is speaking up about his mental health struggles 
. but ullmark is showing us that its actually the opposite 
!
I'm so relieved Linus Ullmark spoke out about his struggles with anxiety & panic! It's amazing how brave he is for sharing his story, especially as a public figure 
. The NHL needs to work on its mental health support systems and make it easier for players like Ullmark to get help without their personal struggles being splashed across the front page of every sports site 
. And what's with all these "beacon of hope" messages? Can't we just focus on supporting the guy without turning him into a symbol or a PR stunt?