[united]

The last credible person I can recall reporting on this was Elliotte Friedman, briefly, on the 32 Thoughts Podcast. Full quote for context as part of their discussion on Jakub Vrana entering treatment through the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program.

“The other thing I’d like to say is there’s a big debate about whether or not these announcements should be made. Okay. And I understand everybody’s position on it. I think the worst thing is you know (Vrana) is on the non-roster list for a couple days and then there’s speculation, right. Sometimes I think the speculation is worse than the truth, because in this day and age – and we see this in a lot of different stories – reporters won’t report on the speculation, so it goes wild on social media and the internet. I actually think it’s better that you come out and say this is what it is – and the other thing is I understand people might get embarrassed that they need the help…but I think the vast majority of people right now look at it like you have no reason to be embarrassed. I think we’ve come a long way in a long time. The first thing should be help. And I think that’s what the League and the Players’ Association recognize. Like, Oliver Kylington is going through a tough time, too, you know…and they say he’s going to get help for whatever it is he needs and people are like okay, we get that. I understand people value their privacy and to be perfectly honest, last year I missed a couple of shows – or I missed one show – and then I kind of went off Twitter for a week and I had to announce I had COVID and that was the reason I was shutting down. And I didn’t like that I had to do that. I actually waited for a while and then I did it. But I think that nowadays it’s better than the alternative and people understand. They just do. I don’t think anybody should say that you don’t want to make the announcement to prevent embarrassment. I don’t think that’s the message we should be sending anymore.”

Also, while the focus is often substance abuse, the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program supports and advises on a variety of situations as its name suggests. As an example, the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program recommended the Blue Jackets' Alex Texier not join the Blue Jackets for the entire 2022-23 season while he endures a battle with mental health.

All the best to Kylington, and all the players being supported by the program - Texier, Vrana, Berdin, and I'm sure more.