[News] Parsons opens up on mental health (TheAthletic)

[Jiggy]

I know people love taking shots at this organization, but they really do help people within the organization when it's needed. Look at Ferland and Poirier, both of them were able to get help when they came let management know they had issues. Remember the Oilers laughing off Patrick O'Sullivan when he asked for help? I've heard of other organizations doing what the Oilers have done. The Flames are a great organization, even though they take a lot of heat from people on this site.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Telling someone is key.

Even if it's isn't all that big of a deal. I always tell my daughter not to let something bounce around in your head. Getting picked on, worried about a presentation in junior high, made a mistake you feel bad about ... tell someone.

You activate different parts of your brain when you verbalize a problem. It always seems smaller.

I really try to emphasize this with my son as I see him internalize a lot of stuff. Being afraid to show weakness, or admit something is not going well can be hard for some boys as they get into their teenage years. I’m careful not to overly praise great outcomes in my kids lives so they don’t think I only want to hear the good stuff.

That’s the way it was in my family growing up and maybe my generation overall. You don’t want to let people down so you deal with your own problems.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Jiggy

I know people love taking shots at this organization, but they really do help people within the organization when it's needed. Look at Ferland and Poirier, both of them were able to get help when they came let management know they had issues. Remember the Oilers laughing off Patrick O'Sullivan when he asked for help? I've heard of other organizations doing what the Oilers have done. The Flames are a great organization, even though they take a lot of heat from people on this site.

They treat their players properly. That is one thing I've always heard about the Flames. Their business decisions that affect the fans though, that is where they earn their criticism. Player personnel decisions? Yeah, people do get a bit overboard on criticizing that.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I really try to emphasize this with my son as I see him internalize a lot of stuff. Being afraid to show weakness, or admit something is not going well can be hard for some boys as they get into their teenage years. I’m careful not to overly praise great outcomes in my kids lives so they don’t think I only want to hear the good stuff.

That’s the way it was in my family growing up and maybe my generation overall. You don’t want to let people down so you deal with your own problems.

A big part of that is leading by example by talking about your own issues. That's why the whole LetsTalk thing is so important and powerful.
The more people talk about it, the more other people will talk about it.
I've struggled with insomnia for over 3 years, and went through 2 years of extreme difficulty because of it.
I speak to my colleagues about it very openly. In part because it helps. In part because I think if people see that, they will be more open to talk about their issues.

Humility and vulnerability are incredibly powerful things

[---Hatrick---]

They shoulda known that drafting a kid with a neck tat would come with some type of baggage!
I’m Jk!!!

Good on him for speaking out to someone, and good on his mother for hearing him out. He’s lucky, as we have seen what can become if people don’t talk to someone about their inner demons. As others have mentioned good on the organization to be understanding and get these kids the help they need.

[Kswiss]

Very inspiring read. Thanks for sharing.

[EVERLAST]

So happy this kid reached out . He's his own biggest critic. Getting bounced back and forth between Kansas and Stockton to get him more playing minutes couldn't have been easy especially when his performance in London could have may given him a false sense.

This won't derail him now. He's got all the tools physically and now will get coping skills on top of that.

These young men have so much promise and as goalies have to be so much more mentally prepared being on the ice for the full time and get out thru everything (getting sprayed with snow, bumped, hacked and peppered with 90+ mile an hour shots)

Good job Tyler . Cheering loud and proud for you buddy.

[8sPOT]

Could almost hear and feel the relief and joy coming from Parsons at the end even though its just a written article. I found it quite uplifting, and certainly surprising.

Good on the Flames indeed.

[Flamefan1]

What a tremendous young man and also a great family support story. Tyler's story can and should teach us all a lot about what is truly important in life. The Calgary Flames are very fortunate to have this young talented player on our team.

[Kswiss]

Originally Posted by Flamefan1

What a tremendous young man and also a great family support story. Tyler's story can and should teach us all a lot about what is truly important in life. The Calgary Flames are very fortunate to have this young talented player on our team.

Looks like it works both ways. Both are fortunate to have each other. Seems like a relationship that is set up for success. Rooting for Parsons.

[Flamefan1]

I agree totally Kswiss. Tyler is fortunate to be in the Flames organization as they have been excellent in handling Tyler's life challenges. The Flames have earned an excellent reputation working with their young prospects and active players. I was so pleases when they brought Mcgratton on as part of their staff. They truly are a great organization.

[jaydub74]

As someone who has battled mental illness since late childhood, I can't get enough of these articles. They're an extremely emotional read for me, and I only wish I had a role model such as this in the late 90's. Having role models like professional athletes step into the forefront and discuss the issues they're having has a huge impact on others in similar situations. It gives us the strength to do the same. Great work by the Athletic, and congratulations to Parsons for working through his issues!

[kman35ca]

Originally Posted by jaydub74

As someone who has battled mental illness since late childhood, I can't get enough of these articles. They're an extremely emotional read for me, and I only wish I had a role model such as this in the late 90's. Having role models like professional athletes step into the forefront and discuss the issues they're having has a huge impact on others in similar situations. It gives us the strength to do the same. Great work by the Athletic, and congratulations to Parsons for working through his issues!

Yup me too, I've dealt with depression and anxiety off and on since my mid 20's. It's definitely a tough ride, but I've learned to deal with it for the most part, winter's are always rough though.
But Parsons has alot of courage to be so open about this. And I couldn't imagine the stress he must have been going through being such a high level athlete, with his dream career hanging in the balance. Quite the kid.
And kudos to the Flames org, for doing the right thing, and getting him the help he needed.
Hopefully that good karma comes back around and we win a cup with Parson's being Kipper 2.0.

[Dion]

Good to see the Flames helping Tyler in any way they can.

[jlh2640]

Talking is helping !

[oldschoolcalgary]

thanks to the OP for linking the article.

really happy to hear Parsons is doing better, like many, i wasn't sure what had happened and just figured it was a numbers game in the system... but sounds like the Flames were providing Parsons with help and letting him work his way through it.

glad to hear Calgary as an organization is taking mental health as a serious issue and helping players once they are aware of the issues

[bigtmac19]

Great article, very uplifting, thanks for posting!

It’s a relief to read something positive.

[IGGYFORMVP]

What a powerful article. You really have to root for this kid after reading that. Lucky for him he had such a close relationship with his family.


In regards to bingo's comment

"You activate different parts of your brain when you verbalize a problem. It always seems smaller."

That is really great advice. As someone who internalizes a lot of problems sharing your issues with others can really help to get perspective on things.