Mental Health and Wellbeing
Need help now? Call Lifeline 13 11 14, text 0477 131 114, call Crisis Help 000, or go to your local Hospital Emergency Department.
How To Seek Help
Managing your own mental health is important at all stages of the mental health continuum.
Our How to Seek Help Tool can help you navigate services.
- Our mental health changes over time in response to different stressors and experiences.
- We can all move up and down the mental health continuum.
- When should you reach out for help? The earlier the better.
- If you are experiencing mental ill-health, reach out for professional help. Our tool helps you know your options.
HOW DO I RESPOND TO A SUICIDE?
In communities that have been impacted by suicide, football clubs are often part of the community response.
This resource aims to help Clubs and Club Leaders provide guidance, support to their members, and minimise the risks of suicide exposure.
- Suicide is a complex public health issue, and there is no one reason why someone may attempt suicide.
- This resource aims to help Clubs and Club leaders provide guidance and support to their members and minimise the risks of suicide exposure in the Club community.
- The Guide outlines clear and practical steps in responding to a suicide or suicide attempt
- The Guide includes response plans, checklists, and examples of communication and support resources
SAFE STORYTELLING
headspace have developed a Safe Storytelling guide with the AFL to help the football industry communicate sensitively about mental health
Safe storytelling is an approach to communicating about mental health that prioritises safety of the person sharing their story, safety of people hearing their story and reducing stigma about mental health.
This guide is for media professionals in AFL football clubs, communication teams, state league football administrators and anyone working with or supporting players who would like to share the story of their mental health journey and recovery.
HOW TO CHOOSE A MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR YOUR CLUB?
Clubs play a role in being healthy places for their members and are an important part of mentally fit communities.
To help clubs choose a safe and effective mental health program the AFL and Orygen have produced a rapid evidence guide. This Guide is for sporting clubs who want to choose an education or wellbeing program that leads to mental health benefits of players and participants.
PROMOTE A CULTURE OF SAFETY AND INCLUSION
Reducing risks to mental health involves Safeguarding Children and having a zero tolerance towards stigma, bullying, e-safety threats, racism, harassment and discrimination.
Check out the following sections of the ClubHelp website to access key AFL policy and industry best practice that contributes to mentally healthy football club environments.
Policies | Good Sports | Safeguarding Children | Inclusion | Gender Diversity
Social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) is the foundation of physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It takes a holistic view of health and recognises that connection to land, sea, culture and spirituality all influence wellbeing. Social, historical and political factors that contribute to racism also affect wellbeing.
AFL Mental Fitness Charter
The Mental Fitness Charter recognises that football clubs can play a pivotal role in enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of their members. This Charter sets out the expectation that clubs will champion mental health and wellbeing guided by the following five commitments.
- Commit to build mental fitness skills
- Commit to increase mental health literacy and challenge stigma
- Commit to reducing risks to mental health
- Commit to promoting a culture of wellbeing
- Commit to responding to risky events that have an impact on mental health
AFL Mental fitness Charter Pledge
The AFL encourages community football clubs to play their role in promoting their community’s mental health and wellbeing by signing a pledge to implement the five commitments of the mental fitness charter and building a Mental Fitness Quick Wins Action Plan. By becoming a mentally fit club, clubs can support the mental health and wellbeing of their communities.
Staying Mentally Fit Posters
Staying mentally fit in life requires knowledge and skills about how to protect and promote wellbeing. Mental fitness helps us cope with stress and life challenges. Mental fitness is something we can build, maintain and grow individually and collectively. There are many actions we can take to build and maintain our mental fitness. These actions can positively impact life on and off the field.