Mental health initiative to help sports clubs

A MENTAL health fitness program for young football players, umpires and their support networks is now being presented to clubs across the Geelong region.

Not-for-profit Meli is one of 16 community organisations delivering the mental health literacy and resilience program Ahead of the Game in community football clubs, which is being described as the world’s largest roll out of a mental health fitness program in sport.

The program, which is being backed by the AFL, Movember and the University of Wollongong, aims to educate young players and umpires (aged 12-18) and their support networks of parents, coaches, and club volunteers on the importance of mental health.

According to Ahead of the Game, 75 per cent of mental health disorders will have emerged before the age of 25, but research has shown organised sport is an effective and important avenue for supporting mental health.

Meli chief executive officer Grant Boyd is thrilled his organisation is working with Read the Play and the AFL to deliver the program locally, bringing together the partners’ collective resources, experience and expertise to help young people.

“Our experience shows us that the best way to support community wellbeing is by being proactive and taking a preventative and early engagement approach,” he said.

“This initiative will help provide young people with the tools they need to deal with life’s challenges, and the confidence they need to support their friends and family.”

Meli is partnering with Geelong-based mental health program Read the Play to deliver the program through five football leagues in the Barwon South West, and the first sessions have already been held.

“Read the Play is excited by the opportunity to work with Meli and the AFL to expand our current offering to football clubs in the region,” Read the Play general manager Michelle Gerdtz said.

“We have been working with AFL Barwon clubs for 17 years to deliver mental health education to 14-16 year-olds and the mental health and wellbeing of young people in our region is our constant focus.

“This partnership will assist our local clubs in playing an ongoing proactive role in supporting the mental health of young community members.”

For more information on Ahead of the Game, head to aheadofthegame.org.au