\n AFL Statement\n <\/p>\n
\n The AFL in partnership with the AFLPA, Black Dog Institute, the Danny Frawley Community and Everymind on Thursday hosted a mental health media roundtable –\u00a0Words in Play: Mental Health and Football\n <\/p>\n
L-R: Luke Jankie (AFLPA), Dr Elizabeth Paton (Everymind), Liam Stocker (St Kilda), Laura Kane (AFL), Kate Dempsey (Richmond), Clinton Schultz (Black Dog Institute), Ben Smith (AFLPA), Dr Kate Hall (AFL). Picture: AFL Photos<\/p>\n
The AFL in partnership with the AFLPA, Black Dog Institute, the Danny Frawley Community and Everymind yesterday hosted a mental health media roundtable –\u00a0Words in Play: Mental Health and Football.<\/p>\n
The collaborative event, attended by leading AFL journalists, Richmond\u2019s\u00a0Kate\u00a0Dempsey, and St Kilda\u2019s Liam Stocker, encouraged a group discussion that will play a key role in the development of best practice guidance for safe reporting about mental health across the industry.<\/p>\n
Yesterday\u2019s event was held in the lead up to Spud\u2019s Game this Sunday at Marvel Stadium where the industry will unite for a historic AFL and AFLW double-header in support of mental health.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Spud\u2019s Game, now in its sixth year, has become Australia\u2019s largest mental health fundraising event in sport – honouring the legacy of St Kilda great, Danny \u2018Spud\u2019 Frawley.<\/p>\n
AFL\u00a0Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Dr\u00a0Kate\u00a0Hall\u00a0said:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPlayer health and wellbeing is the AFL\u2019s highest priority.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe AFL was the first sport to implement a whole-of-sport, system-wide mental health and wellbeing strategy that places equal emphasis on responding to mental health challenges and harnessing the power of our game to protect and promote mental fitness for our footy community.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSince launching the strategy, the AFL has invested more than $7.5 million in mental health and wellbeing initiatives spanning promotion, early intervention and treatment, supporting both our players and the broader football community.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe media roundtable forms part of that ongoing commitment as we build towards\u00a0Spud’s Game 6.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cReporting about the mental health of players in our game can be a powerful force for good for the millions of Australians and their families impacted by mental health challenges or suicide.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen mental health is reported thoughtfully and responsibly, it can challenge stigma, normalise help-seeking, and give people hope.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDanny Frawley challenged all of us to think differently about how we talk about mental health, vulnerability and seeking support. His legacy continues to have a profound impact on our game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since launching the whole-of-sport, system-wide strategy in 2024, the AFL has:<\/p>\n
Invested more than $7.5 million in mental health and wellbeing, with investment growing each year
\nReached more than 45,000 community participants with mental health programs across all states and territories
\nReached more than 1 million Australians annually through mental fitness campaigns
\nEnsured every player in every AFL & AFLW program has access to 24\/7 mental healthcare and will have a full-time club psychologist by 2028
\nSupported 99% of AFL\/AFLW players to complete training on how to look after their mental health and where to go for help<\/p>\n
As part of the AFL Industry Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, the League has also implemented the following initiatives at the elite level for AFL clubs:<\/p>\n
AFL\/W Player Mental Healthcare Roadmap
\nAFL funded industry-first 24\/7 helpline \u2013 PLAY ON in partnership with Converge
\nDedicated mental health soft cap concessions for clubs
\nAFL funded centralised player mental health referral network and inpatient services, so every player has access to specialist mental healthcare
\nIndustry Social, Emotional, Cultural Wellbeing (SECWB) Framework by and for First Nations peoples to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples\u2019 wellbeing
\nAFL funded Indigenous psychologists\u2019 network for culturally informed mental healthcare
\nAFL funded dedicated culturally affirming care for Talent and Diversity Academy Players
\nAFL funded dedicated wellbeing program delivered throughout talent pathways to build resilience and protective factors before entering the system
\nMental health screening of all talent pathways players at draft
\nAll AFL\/W and club staff, coaches and umpires\u00a0have access to proactive holistic 24\/7\u00a0mental health\u00a0support<\/p>\n
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