Major League Baseball is committed to the well-being of our players, on and off the field. We provide a variety of services, including free and confidential counseling, a 24/7 helpline and external educational resources to encourage and support positive mental health practices.
Crisis Support and Resources
MLB Crisis Text Line
To connect with a crisis counselor:
Text: MLB to 741741
Web Chat: crisistextline.org
If you are experiencing feelings of loneliness, sadness or just being overwhelmed, you are not alone. You can text MLB to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor at Crisis Text Line, or you can connect via web chat at crisistextline.org.
For more information, visit www.mlb.com/mlb-together/mental-health.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
To connect with a crisis counselor:
Call or Text: 988
Chat: 988lifeline.org/chat
Visit: https://988lifeline.org/??
988 is the new, easy-to-remember three-digit dialing code connecting people to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline), where support from trained crisis counselors is available 24/7 nationwide for anyone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis or any other emotional distress.
To learn more, click here.
Columbia Lighthouse Project
To access the suicide risk screening, visit: cssrs.columbia.edu/
The Columbia Protocol, also known as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), supports suicide risk assessment through a series of simple, plain-language questions that anyone can ask.
To learn more about the protocol and how you can use it to help someone, please click here.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Helpline (SAMHSA)
To connect with SAMHSA's National Helpline:
Call: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Visit: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSAĄ¯s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups and community-based organizations. To learn more about SAMHSA, visit https://www.samhsa.gov/.
Joint MLB-MLBPA Players, Partners and Family Helpline
The Joint MLB-MLBPA, Partner and Family Helpline service is a 24/7 resource for Major League players and their families. Text or call the helpline with concerns, questions or to simply talk about parenting, dating, relationships and more. The helpline is operated by a qualified and independent third-party organization. It is free of cost to players, their partner and families, and 100% confidential. Spanish-speaking operators and language line operators are available for the helpline service.
When can someone call or text?
24 hours per day, 7 days a week.
Must names be given?
No.
Do helpline advocates tell MLB, MLBPA or agents about calls or texts?
No.
Can a call or text be for a friend or family member?
Yes.
Does the call or text have to be in English?
No, the Helpline Advocates speak Spanish and English. We also have a language line that provides an immediate translator for more than 100 other languages.
Who will answer the call or text?
Trained and experienced Helpline Advocates who will listen without judgment to questions, concerns or problems, and provide relevant information, referrals or counseling.
Why would anyone call a stranger?
Helpline advocates are available to give their full attention to anyone who calls or texts. Stories can be shared freely with someone uninvolved in the situation. Speaking with friends and family can also be helpful, but there is no need to choose only one source for help and information.
How often can anyone call the helpline?
There is no limit to the number of calls or texts to the helpline seeking information or assistance. Where necessary, advocates will provide ongoing crisis support until the caller can be matched up with local services.
Will the advocate ask questions and do they have to be answered?
People who contact the Helpline can share as much or as little of their question or concern as they want. The advocate will ask questions to help understand the situation, but they don't have to be answered.
Can you contact other resources?
Yes. You always are free to use other resources, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233), National Domestic Violence Teen Hotline (1-866-331-9474) or your local domestic violence provider's services.
Minor League Player & Family Wellness Program
Major League Baseball, in its desire to help players, their partners and families, has established a professional outreach service and resource line in accordance with the domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse prevention policy. This resource line is operated by Sand Creek, an independent employee assistance and wellness provider with more than 20 years of experience. Additional services offered by Sand Creek include:
- Confidential in-person or telephonic conversations with experienced professionals
- Support to deal with sadness, depression and anxiety
- Coping behavior suggestions that offer a positive alternative to substance abuse or other unhealthy options
- Mental skills building
Download the Sand Creek app or visit their Workplace Wellness Portal to access more services, or call, live chat, video chat or use the AI chatbot, to start the intake process today.
Para asistencia en espa?ol en los Estados Unidos, llame al n¨˛mero 866-634-4371.
If you are calling from outside the U.S., please click here to access the Global Access Directory.
To log in, use company code: wellness
What sort of problems can the program help me with?
We are a full-service family wellness program that provides help with: work or career concerns; relationship concerns; parenting support; legal concerns; grief and loss or change; financial troubles; eldercare and childcare; domestic violence and sexual assault; depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges; coping with stress; conflict resolution; chemical dependency; and anything that life throws your way.
How do I access the program?
Simply call 888-243-5744. Professional intake consultants are available to answer your call day or night. We are here to help 24/7/365.
Does the call have to be in English?
No. The program is fully integrated in English and Spanish services.
Who will answer my call?
A trained, professional intake consultant will answer your call with compassion and provide non-judgmental guidance to your questions and concerns. If requested, you can be transferred to a counselor right away for in-the-moment support.
Can a call be for a friend or family member?
Absolutely. We want to assist any way we can.
Who will know about my call?
No one. Your call to the program is strictly confidential. Within the limits of the law, no one will know you used the program unless you tell them. You may remain anonymous in our system if you choose.
How often can someone call the program?
There is no limit to the number of calls to the program.
Can I see a counselor after my call?
Yes. We offer face-to-face counseling throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. All callers will be offered face-to-face counseling in a location of their choosing. Callers get up to four sessions of solution focused counseling.
Unmind
Unmind is a free and confidential mental health platform available to all Minor League players. Unmind gives you access to clinically-backed digital tools and insights to help you manage your wellbeing. Use Unmind to manage stress, improve focus or sleep better with a wide range of content and personalized recommendations. With Unmind, you can learn more about what it means to reset, recharge and unwind.
To learn more about Unmind, click here.
If you are a Minor League player and want to set up your free account, click here. You will need to connect with your ClubĄ¯s Minor League Medical Coordinator, Mental Skills Coaches or Education Professional (varies by Club) to obtain your player ID to create an account.
Scan the QR code below to download the Unmind app.
If you have any questions about Unmind, please contact Isabel Caro ([email protected]) at the CommissionerĄ¯s Office.
For technical support, please contact Unmind Support ¨C [email protected].
Unmind app is available to download in the following languages: English (US and British), Spanish (Latin American), French (France), Portuguese (Brazil) and Chinese (simplified). If you have any questions about the app's language availability, please contact Isabel Caro ([email protected]).
Minor League Tobacco Cessation Program
All Players and Club personnel covered by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance are encouraged to call Dr. Yael M. RubinĄ¯s Spit Tobacco Education and Cessation Program. The services are free through the Minor League Player and Family Wellness Program and available in both English and Spanish for all eligible participants. Each participant should verify their insurance benefit by calling the Sand Creek Group EAP at 1-888-243-5744.
Contacts:
- Dr. Yael M. Rubin, PhD, Licensed Psychologist and Tobacco Treatment Specialist - 612-203-5257
- Elise Foss, MS, GLCMA, HC (tobacco cessation services in Spanish) ¨C 847-226-4923
- Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Wellness Resource Center - 1-888-258-3428
Spit Tobacco Education and Cessation webinars:
- Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (BATS): Tobacco Free Webinar
- Brainshark (English): MiLB - How to be Tobacco Free (English)
- Brainshark (Spanish): MiLB - C¨Žmo Dejar de Consumir Tobaco
Have questions about MLB's wellness programs?
If you have questions about available service providers, contact Larry Westreich, an MLB consultant on matters related to behavioral health and addiction. Larry is available to evaluate a player and/or direct the player to appropriate resources.
Larry Westreich, MD
Consultant on Behavioral Health and Addiction
[email protected]
For additional information regarding all of MLBĄ¯s efforts in this area, please feel free to contact Jon Coyles or Isabel Caro.
Jon Coyles
Vice President, Drug, Health & Safety Programs
212-931-7859
[email protected]
Isabel Caro
Manager, MLB Mental Health and Safety Programs
212-931-7895
[email protected]