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 hotline and external educational resources to encourage and support positive mental health practices.


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
  • Financial counseling
  • Legal consultation for an hour with an attorney licensed in your state to address a wide variety of legal issues, including immigration law.

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 español en los Estados Unidos, llame al número 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.


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. Rubin’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
  • Dr. Glen Wurglitz, PsyD, Licensed Psychologist (tobacco cessation services in Spanish) - 639-369-7309
  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Wellness Resource Center - 1-888-258-3428

Spit Tobacco Education and Cessation webinars:


Major League Players, Partners and Family Helpline

The MLB Player, 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. This Helpline is for the exclusive use of MLBPA members, partners, and family, but you 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.


Psych Hub

Psych Hub is an online platform providing free, engaging videos about mental health, substance use and suicide prevention. By combining clinical research and the art of storytelling, Psych Hub's videos provide engaging and credible mental health information that is accessible to everyone. The Player Programs Department has partnered with Psych Hub in order to provide players and their families with more information about mental wellness. Some sample videos can be found below.

Videos courtesy of Psych Hub.

Major depressive disorder: More than just the blues

Responsible use of Opioids

Drinking or using more than intended

Difficulty with concentration


Additional Resources

MentalHealth.gov

Visit: www.mentalhealth.gov/

MentalHealth.gov provides one-stop access to U.S. government mental health and mental health problems information. MentalHealth.gov aims to educate and guide the general public and local communities.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Visit: suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ā€ā€ā€Ž ā€Žā€ā€
Call: 1-800-273-8255

The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

Columbia Lighthouse Project

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.


Have questions about MLB's wellness program?

If you have questions about the basics of the mental wellness services for players, contact Billy Bean, former Major League player, member of MLB’s Player Programs education team and lead presenter on mental wellness services.

Billy Bean
212-931-7860
[email protected]

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
[email protected]

For additional information regarding all of MLB’s efforts in this area, please feel free to contact Jon Coyles or Isabel Caro.

Jon Coyles
212-931-7859
[email protected]

Isabel Caro
212-931-7895
[email protected]