Mental Health & Wellbeing

Mental health well being

SportWest Mental Health and Community Sport Framework and True Sport

Mental wellbeing describes a positive state of mental health which is about generally feeling happy and satisfied emotionally, functioning well psychologically, emotionally and socially and having a sense of meaning and purpose in life. Mental wellbeing is important for individuals, families, communities and societies.

Organised community sport provides opportunities to promote mental health and wellbeing, to increase mental health ‘literacy’ and prevent the onset of mental health challenges.

The potential role that community sport can play in mental health and wellbeing promotion and prevention is exemplified by the emergence of a variety of mental health programs and initiatives which have been developed to be implemented in community sporting settings.

Read more, download SportWest Mental Health and Community Sport Framework

True Sport is SportWest's mental health & wellbeing initiative to the WA sporting community. The initiative supports State Sporting Association and other sporting organisation staff to respond to mental health incidents and promote proactive mental health and wellbeing in community sport.

Based on funding provided by the Mental Health Commission, The True Sport – Mental Health and Wellbeing initiative has been developed in conjunction with a mental health training specialist, utilising the expertise of a clinical psychologist from The Mental Health Project.

Visit the below links to find free resources and information regarding mental health and wellbeing in sport.

True Sport – Mental Health and Wellbeing Community Links

True Sport Mental Health and Wellbeing eToolkits

 

MENTAL HEALTH WORKSHOPS AND COURSES

Bouncing Back

Richmond Wellbeing works with sports clubs to improve mental health for club members through its Bouncing Back - Giving Mental Health a Sporting Chance program.

The program is free and includes free face-to-face Bouncing Back mental health awareness training sessions.
https://www.rw.org.au/bouncing-back-program/

Play by the Rules

Play by the Rules provides information, resources, tools and free online training to increase the capacity and capability of administrators, coaches, officials, players, parents and spectators to assist them in preventing and dealing with discrimination, harassment, child safety, inclusion and integrity issues in sport.
https://www.playbytherules.net.au/about-pbtr

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES

To find local mental health services and supports in your region try the following online links and Directories.

Mental Health Commission of WA- Getting Help Finding a Service
https://www.mhc.wa.gov.au/getting-help/

My services and supports.
https://www.myservices.org.au/

WA Primary Health Alliance My Community Directory
https://www.wapha.org.au/service-providers/service-provider-support/my-community-directory/

Think Mental Health- Mental Health Support Services
https://www.thinkmentalhealthwa.com.au/mental-health-support-services/mental-health-support-services/

Headspace Youth Mental Health Centres

There are 100 Headspace Centers around Australia in metropolitan and regional center’s who exist to respond to young people’s mental health wellbeing.
https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/

IS Mental Health Referral Network

Anyone impacted by the independent complaints handling process for Football Australia has have free access to expert mental health and wellbeing support, as part of an expanded partnership between Football Australia, Sport Integrity Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).
https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news/wellbeing-support-confirmed-football-australia-process

USEFUL INFORMATION ON MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Mental Health Commission of WA- About Mental Health What is a Mental Health Issue?
https://www.mhc.wa.gov.au/your-health-and-wellbeing/about-mental-health-issues/

Beyond Blue Fact Sheets on Mental Health
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/resource-library

Black Dog Institute Information and Resources
https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/

RESOURCES ON COMMUNITY SPORT AND MENTAL HEALTH

R.U.O.K Sport Guide and R.U.O/K Tool Kit for Coaches

Hey Sport, R U OK? is a campaign to benefit participants, officials, administrators and supporters across the grassroots sporting community. The first phase provides resources and tips for coaches to help them build an R U OK? Culture to support their athletes and players. The resources will help coaches spot the signs that someone might be struggling and provide tips to guide them through what to say and do in the event one of their athletes is not OK.
https://www.ruok.org.au/sport#Toolkitforcoaches

Orygen National Centre for Excellence in Youth Mental Health: Supporting mental wellbeing in community sport

A toolkit for sporting organisations. A four-part suite of resources designed to help sporting organisations support the mental wellbeing of young people aged 12-24 years.
https://www.orygen.org.au/Training/Resources/Physical-and-sexual-health/Toolkits/Supporting-mental-wellbeing-in-community-sport/MH-in-community-sports-toolkit-WEB

Case Studies of Sporting Clubs

Case studies of sporting clubs around Australia who are responding to issues such as child safety, equality, discrimination, harassment, mental health, inclusion and issues of culture change. A number of the case studies focus on the ways that community sporting clubs are responding to mental health issues.
https://www.playbytherules.net.au/resources/case-studies

Reach Out Campaign – FIFA

FIFA has launched #ReachOut, a campaign designed to raise awareness of the symptoms of mental health conditions, encourage people to seek help when they need it, and take actions every day for better mental health. With the support of past and current football players, FIFA is underlining the importance of greater awareness around mental health.
https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/medical/reachout

Good Sports Program

The Good Sports Program offers free tools and resources to build a policy around alcohol management, smoking regulations, mental health, illegal drugs, and safe transport. These together add up to help create a safe, welcoming, family-friendly environment.
https://goodsports.com.au/mental-health/

For further information or if you would like to discuss initiatives around mental health for your club or association please contact clubsupport@footballwest.com.au