As Northern NSW Football launched their premier men's and women's competitions last Wednesday, they also unveiled a mental health wellness pledge.
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As an act of solidarity, 29 club representatives from National Premier League, Herald Women's Premier League and NewFM Northern League One formally pledged their commitment to mental health.
NNSWF will also collaborate with Newcastle Netball, Newcastle Rugby League and other winter sporting codes to raise awareness of the importance of mental health wellness through a collective round on July 25 and 26 this year.
NNSWF chief executive David Eland stated the pledge committed clubs to fostering a culture which is inclusive, supportive and respectful.
"Our objective is to encourage the vast football family to look out for each other and support teammates and others when they need help with their mental health," Mr Eland said.
"By joining with fantastic partners such as #talk2mebro which delivers unique programs targeting suicide prevention, through educating our community to break the stigma surrounding mental health - we can make a difference."
Luke Conners, from #talk2mebro and player with Belmont-Swansea Football Club, spoke at the launch about how clubs can make a positive stance on mental health through the sporting community.
"It's great to see football clubs understanding the influence they have in helping to break the stigma and arming players and non-playing members with strategies on how to help their mates," he said.
#talk2mebro was created to help reduce the number of males who die by suicide. Through early intervention initiatives, their aim is to create societal change by reducing the stigma in males' attitudes towards suicide, empower men to take control of their mental health, and reduce the incidence of suicide.
In Australia, according to www.lifeinmindaustralia.com.au/:
- In 2018, preliminary data showed a total of 3046 deaths by suicide (age-specific suicide rate 12.2 per 100,000).
- The rate of suicide among males is more than three times greater than that for females.
- Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death for males and the 23rd leading cause for females.
- The highest proportion of suicide deaths occur among young and middle aged people. More than half of all suicide deaths in 2018 (54.8 per cent) were between 30 and 59.
- In 2018, suicide accounted for over one-third of deaths (38.4 per cent) among people 15-24 years and 29.4 per cent among people 25-34 years.
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Suicide Call Back Services: 1300 659 467 www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
Mensline Australia: 1300 78 99 78
Upcoming Fitness Events
Variety Spin 4 Kids, Harbour Square, March 27: The charity event involves getting a team of up to 10 riders together and going hell for leather for six hours on a stationary bike.
NewRun, Newcastle Foreshore, April 5: Distances on offer include 5km, the Herald Hill2Harbour 10km, a hilly 21.1km and a flat 42.km as well as a kids' 2km.
Maitland River Run, Maitland, June 7: A picturesque 4km course in and around the mall and River Bank, the event also offers a two-lap 8km course or three-lap 12km course as well as a 21.1km half marathon and the classic 1609m (one mile) sprint.
Autumn Workouts Week #2
Circuits are a good way to get an all-over workout by combining strength and cardio, especially if you are time poor. Here are two 30-minute circuits to try. Adjust to suit your needs.
Circuit 1 (easier) 40 seconds work, 20sec rest: Squats, walk on the spot, push-ups (option of against a wall), step-ups, horizontal row, walk on the spot, dead lift, shoulder press, ab rotation, opposing arm and leg extension.
Circuit 2 (harder) 50sec work, 10sec rest: Squats with shoulder press, mountain climbers, push-ups, skipping, dead lifts, plyometric lunges, bent-over rows, burpees, hover, bear crawls.
Send your health and fitness news to r.valentine@newcastleherald.com.au.
