Mental health does not discriminate, and former NHL goaltender Corey Hirsch is living proof.
"There was a day, a time in my life where I couldn't see a tomorrow," Hirsch said during a recent stop at St. Clair College during his mental health advocacy tour. "I had to look up to see rock bottom."
Hirsch won a Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994 and an Olympic Silver medal in Lillehammer, Norway that same year.
Despite that, those were some of his darkest times, having repetitive deep, dark thoughts and suffering in silence. He even made an unsuccessful suicide attempt.
"Mental health doesn't go, 'Oh, you have a Stanley Cup and silver medal? Yeah, we're going to leave you alone.' It doesn't work like that," said Hirsch. "And that's the importance of showing people my story. You can have those things and still be struggling, and that's why we need to check in on each other."
Now 52, Hirsch travels the country as an advocate for mental health, opening up about his own struggles and proving to others that they don't have to suffer in silence as well.
"You can struggle to the point where you think you don't want to live anymore," said Hirsch. "It's getting to that next day and knowing that it does get better and that you can live a good life, even if you can't see a tomorrow, right now."
During his stop at St. Clair College, Hirsch spoke with a captive audience of students, student-athletes, and coaches.
"We tell people, let's talk, which is great, but it's just as important to be somebody that someone can talk to," he said. "I didn't have that, and I almost ended up dead because of it."
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 34, and one in five people experience mental health problems or illnesses.
"My mission is to put a dent in our suicide numbers," says Hirsch bluntly, hoping his message resonates with youth in sports who feel stigmatized, and adults in sport who can be there for someone in their time of need.
"They're the ones that are going to see it first, because they're going to spend a lot of time with the athletes," said Hirsch.
Reid Innes, the Director of College Recreational Services at St. Clair College, brought Hirsch to the College because he recognizes the importance of getting this message to students, coaches and the broader community.
"This was a tremendous opportunity to have Corey visit our campus today," said Innes. "His message is a powerful one and I'm glad we were able to have him share it with our students, staff, and coaches."
During his cross-country travels, Hirsch has made dozens of stops, hoping he can inspire others to confront their mental health challenges and advocate for others to seek help, or be the help.
"There is a tomorrow," he says. "It does get better."
