CF Montréal and the Youth in Mind Foundation Strengthen the Safety Net Around Young Athletes ⚽️

The Youth in Mind Foundation and CF Montréal are proud to continue their collaboration in 2026 to support the mental health of young athletes at the Academy and better equip the people who support them in their daily lives.

This new phase of the partnership takes a comprehensive approach: providing young people with practical guidance to help them care for their well-being, while helping parents, coaches, health care staff and other key adults better recognize signs of distress and understand how to respond.

Seven Workshops to Support Young Athletes and Those Around Them

Since the beginning of 2026, Youth in Mind Foundation delivered seven workshops to different groups within the CF Montréal Academy community. In total, 130 young people, 39 parents and 21 key people in their support network were reached.

The workshops for young people addressed realities that are very much part of the athletic journey, such as managing stress and emotions, as well as finding a balance between sport and other areas of their lives. These workshops aim to reduce performance-related pressure and help prevent the psychological distress that some young people may experience.

Through accessible discussions and practical strategies, participants were able to better understand what they were going through, discover ways to care for their mental health and learn about the resources they can turn to when they feel the need.

Better Equipping Adults to Start the Conversation💬

Separate workshops were also offered to the people who support young athletes.

Coaches learned to recognize certain signs of psychological distress, including those that may appear in a sports setting. They were also encouraged to reflect on how to start a conversation with a young person, guide them toward the appropriate resources and refer them to additional support when a situation goes beyond the limits of their role.

This approach helps strengthen the safety net around young people and create an environment where they can feel heard, understood and supported.

Sport as a Driver of Well-Being🤸‍♀️

The partnership between the Youth in Mind Foundation and CF Montréal is based on a shared belief: mental health is an integral part of young athletes’ development.

“At CF Montréal, we believe our role extends well beyond the field. Mental health is an essential pillar of youth development, and sport is a powerful vehicle for building confidence, resilience and personal growth. By supporting the Youth in Mind Foundation, the Club reaffirms its commitment to making a positive impact in the community and contributing to the well-being of future generations. This cause fully aligns with our vision: developing people, not just athletes,” said Gabriel Gervais, President and CEO of CF Montréal.

An Ongoing Collaboration

“This renewed partnership with CF Montréal fully reflects our mission: taking preventive action directly in the environments where young people grow and develop. The workshops offered at the Academy allowed us to reach young athletes, as well as the adults who play an essential role in their journey. This collaboration also allowed us to develop accessible content for all young athletes, beyond the Academy. Together, we are strengthening the safety net around them and creating spaces where it becomes easier to talk about mental health, ask for help and feel supported,” said Marc-André Delorme, Vice-President, Youth Services at the Youth in Mind Foundation.

The collaboration will continue over the coming months through additional awareness initiatives, the sharing of resources and community-building activities. On September 19, youth invited by Youth in Mind Foundation will have the opportunity to enjoy a special experience at a CF Montréal match.