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We know by now that NHL players are not immune to mental health issues, struggles and the ups and downs that many face on what can sometimes be a daily basis.
Through his involvement in a company called VictoryLab, Andrew Ladd is trying to do something about it.
“The extreme stories of Rick Rypien or Wade Belak, the list is longer than we want it to be,” said the 32-year-old New York Islanders winger. “They had to take their life in order to deal with the stresses and anxieties of, ‘where do I fit in?’ or just daily life.
“It goes beyond sports, your family life and away from the rink. There are stresses at the rink, too. It comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes and it doesn’t discriminate against anyone. Mental health (issues are) everywhere, right? I’ve seen it within my family or teammates … that’s where it hits home and I’m sure a lot of people feel the same way.
“It impacts everyone.” Ladd and his wife Brandy were in Calgary on Wednesday as a representative of VictoryLab, the main sponsor of PBR’s Ranchman’s BullBustin’ where the funds raised at the event go toward the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Ladd said VictoryLab is a handson, modern approach to mental wellness; a performance-based app and software designed for individuals and businesses featuring programs to help overcome day-today challenges in an anonymous and stigma-free environment.
The software gives access to critical support systems and connects with counsellors in real time, working with two Canadian doctors who are leaders in team culture and performance research.
“It provides users with the ability to anonymously connect with a professional counsellor for support,” Ladd said. “It’s a tool, another place for people to go. Any time they are having any sort of issues … anything. Sometimes people just need to get something off their chests. This gives them a place to go and talk to someone about what’s going on and have the anonymity involved and right at your fingertips.
“We’re not professing to have all the answers but we’re trying to engage people to take steps to have better mental health and to be able to provide their employees the opportunity to have that support on a full-time basis.”
The wheels started spinning around five years ago when his wife’s uncle approached him with the vision.
“The idea centred around, ‘How can we empower people and give them the support systems they need?’” Ladd said. “It’s kind of turned into VictoryLab and I was excited about the idea. Having been through 13 years in the NHL and seeing the stresses and anxieties I go through and teammates — all the people through my junior career and pro career.
“I really thought he was hitting home with what he wanted to do to help people.”
Having played his junior hockey career with the Calgary Hitmen, one of the few players to have his name and number inducted into the Forever a Hitmen program, Ladd has always had a special place in his heart for Calgary even as his NHL journey has taken him to Carolina, Chicago, Atlanta, Winnipeg, back to Chicago and, most recently, to New York.
Through The Ladd Foundation, he and his wife have supported many causes including the health and well-being of young people facing disabilities, illness, mental health issues and poverty. Later this month, they’ll team up with the Sturgeon Slayers, an angling outfit in B.C., for the second annual Fishing 4 A Cause, a charity fishing trip.
So, it was a natural fit for VictoryLab to do its part to support the CMHA in Calgary at BullBustin’.
“Some good synergy there and we wanted to do our part,” Ladd said. “We want to create awareness about everything that is going on and try to initiate some action to support people.”