Sporting clubs across South Australia will be tackling mental health HEAD ON… will yours?
Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation will again host its community round this year on August 14, to raise awareness to connect, educate and invest in Australia’s best mental health research.
Almost 160 sporting clubs across football, netball, rugby, soccer and others have already signed up to raise much needed funds for mental health research and to invest in mental health first aid training for their club. More than double the number of clubs signed up last year.
Breakthrough Executive Director John Mannion said sporting clubs have a huge impact in their communities by being trusted voices and an ideal vehicle to drive the message about mental health awareness.
“The team at Breakthrough receive calls every single week from sporting clubs across the state that have experienced a suicide within the club or other mental health issues and they want advice on how to help their club – their players, their volunteers, their staff – to support the group during difficult times and to provide tools and resources to empower them to have these mental health conversations at any time,” Mr Mannion said.
“The Breakthrough Community Round is an important vehicle to drive the mental health conversation within the club – to normalise it – and to invest in mental health first aid training for clubs to support their people.”
With one in five Australians diagnosed with a mental health issue and more people aged between 15-24 years dying from suicide than any other cause – groundbreaking research is imperative to understand what causes mental illness, how to treat it, and how to prevent it from happening.
The mental health first aid training provides information to clubs on how to have difficult mental health conversations, how to recognise the warning signs and what to do when an issue arises.
SANFL is once again supporting the round, as part of its partnership with Breakthrough, with clubs across the league donning purple and blue arm bands on the weekend of August 14 to raise awareness for mental health research.
SANFL Chief Executive Darren Chandler said the Breakthrough Community Round highlights the commitment the league has to the welfare of not only the players, but also the officials, volunteers, families, and fans.
“The conversation around mental health has never been stronger so we’re excited to continue our great partnership with Breakthrough, to not only to raise awareness about mental health issues, but also to raise money for much needed mental health research,” Mr Chandler said.
“Football isn’t just about playing footy; it provides many broader positive social benefits for people by improving mental health and offering support and we want to be a keen driver in this space.”
Breakthrough is also pleased to again have the support of Fleurieu Milk as partner for the round. Fleurieu Milk Company Sales and Marketing Manager Clay Sampson said the partnership aligned well as it matched the group’s core values.
“Fleurieu Milk Company strongly believes research behind mental illness is vital, and key to improving the lives of future generations,” Mr Sampson said.
