Mustangs Wellness Leads


Established in 2024-25, The Mustangs Wellness Lead program aims to connect student-athletes with a point person on their team that can support and connect them in times of need throughout their season.





Being an MWL means supporting your teammates, but it doesn’t mean you have to be available 24/7 or take on more than you're trained for. Some important boundaries to keep in mind: You are not a therapist. You're there to listen and refer, not to diagnose or treat. Respect your own time and mental health. It’s okay to say, “I’m not in the best head space to talk right now, but I can check in tomorrow.” Confidentiality has limits. If someone is at risk of harming themselves or others, it’s your responsibility to escalate that to a coach or professional. Keep relationships appropriate. You’re a peer, not a counsellor—avoid getting too emotionally involved or becoming the “go-to” for every issue.

As a Mustang Wellness Lead, you're in a unique position of trust and leadership. While the role is incredibly meaningful, it's also natural to run into questions or challenges along the way. Here are some common ones, along with guidance on how to handle them: “What do I do if someone tells me they’re struggling?” Listen without judgment, stay calm, and let them know you’re here for them. You’re not expected to diagnose or fix the issue, your job is to support and help them connect with professional resources. You can offer to walk with them to Student Health & Wellness, or help them reach out to a counselor, academic advisor, or support service. “What if I’m worried about someone but they don’t want help?” Let them know you care and that you’re there when they’re ready. Sometimes just knowing someone sees them and is willing to listen can make a difference. If the concern is serious (like signs of harm to self or others), trust your instincts and seek guidance from a coach, athletic staff, or wellness coordinator—it’s always better to err on the side of safety. “What if people don’t take me seriously in this role?” Building trust takes time. Be consistent, approachable, and authentic. You’re a teammate first, and the more you show you genuinely care, the more people will feel comfortable opening up. It’s okay if not everyone comes to you right away—just keep showing up. “How do I manage this role when I’m feeling overwhelmed myself?” Your well-being comes first. It’s okay to take a step back and ask for help if you’re feeling drained or unsupported. You’re never expected to carry everything alone—reach out to other Mustangs Wellness Leads, team staff, or Student Health & Wellness for support. Setting boundaries is part of being an effective leader. “How do I start conversations without it feeling awkward?” Sometimes it’s as simple as checking in: “Hey, how’ve you been holding up with everything lately?” or “You seemed a bit off at practice—want to talk?” Being genuine goes a long way. You don’t need the perfect words—just showing you care matters most. Remember: You’re not expected to have all the answers. Your role is about connection, compassion, and helping teammates access the support they need.

As a Mustang Wellness Lead (MWL), you are not alone in this role. Our Mustangs Wellness Leads are part of a larger community of student-athletes who are all working to foster wellness, mental health, and a supportive environment. Here’s how we stay connected and supported: Regular Check-Ins: MMustangs Wellness Leads will have scheduled check-ins with the Mustang Wellness Coordinator to discuss challenges, share tips, and receive guidance on your role. These sessions help maintain a strong support system for you. MWL Peer Network: Reach out to fellow Mustangs Wellness Leads from other teams to share experiences, ask for advice, and collaborate. You can build a network of support by connecting with others who understand the unique challenges of the role. Wellness Lead Events: Throughout the year, there will be workshops, team-building events, and training refreshers where Mustangs Wellness Leads can come together to discuss mental health topics, receive additional training, and enhance their leadership skills. Access to Resources: As an MWL, you will have access to resources from the athletic department and the broader wellness community at Western. This includes wellness events, mental health resources, and training materials. Who to Contact for Support: Wellness Coordinator – [Contact Info] Mustangs Wellness Lead Graduate Leads - [Contact Info] Team Coaches – For immediate team concerns and guidance Western’s Student Heath Services – For professional mental health support Peer MWLs – For shared experiences and advice

Ongoing training is essential to ensuring you are well-equipped to support your teammates effectively. As an Mustangs Wellness Leads you will receive comprehensive training at the start of each season, and you'll have opportunities for continued development. Initial Training: At the beginning of the year, all Mustangs Wellness Leads participate in an extensive onboarding session that covers: Understanding mental health challenges specific to student-athletes Recognizing the signs of stress, burnout, and other mental health issues Learning active listening and de-escalation techniques Becoming familiar with available campus resources and how to refer teammates to them Crisis management basics and protocols Ongoing Development: Throughout the year, Mustangs Wellness Leads will have access to continued learning opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge, including: Wellness Workshops: These may cover topics such as stress management, resilience-building, and dealing with performance anxiety. Guest Speakers: Attend guest speaker sessions from professionals in the fields of mental health, athletics psychology, and leadership. Advanced Leadership Training: For those who want to dive deeper into leadership skills, we offer optional leadership development programs. Peer Support Training: Additional workshops focused on building empathy, recognizing signs of distress, and learning effective communication strategies. MWL Toolkit: Mustangs Wellness Leads will receive access to a Mustangs Wellness Lead Toolkit that includes: A list of campus resources Self-care tips for Mustangs Wellness Leads Confidentiality guidelines Crisis management protocols Reflection worksheets to assess your wellness and growth CLICK HERE for the Academic Support Toolkit

Being a Mustang Wellness Lead is an impactful role that helps not only your teammates but also enhances your own personal growth. Here’s what some of your fellow MWLs and teammates have to say about their experiences: "A player on my team was very overwhelmed with school, friends, and being away from home. She started sitting out during practice and seemed different from her usual self. Through what I learned being in the MWL program, I was able to talk to her about how she was feeling and offer her useful resources. In a matter of days I was able to help her book an appointment with Western counseling where she was able to talk out how she was feeling with someone who could offer her professional help. I was able to support her throughout her whole mental health journey as she began to get diagnosed with different anxiety disorders. This player was in a very dark place when I first intervened. The MWL program helped me to recognize the signs as well as taught me how to help athletes in need." "I believe that the MWL program took a big step as an initiative for improving the mental health of the student-athlete population at Western University. Despite it being the first year that the MWL program has run, I believe that it had a meaningful impact on the student body population. The existence of the program made it increasingly possible for student-athletes to openly talk and communicate on the unique challenges that come with balancing university classes, varsity training/competing, as well as any other unique challenges that student-athletes face. Throughout the course of the program/season, I personally saw an increasing honesty in how mental health plays a role in everyone's academic, varsity, and personal lives. I believe that the continuation, and refinement of this program will further increase it's effectiveness each year that it is run." "I think this is an amazing program that will continue to develop as more awareness is brought to mental health in sport and the more the program is promoted to teams. I would have loved to have a MWL on my team when I was a rookie trying to navigate everything that came with being a student athlete." "Overall, I think this program was a fantastic initiative and I am really excited for the younger individuals on my team to have access to a MWL for years to come. I really enjoyed being a MWL as it provided me with important skills regarding looking out for the mental health of others, as well as connecting with other athletes across Western."