Both on and off the field, your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Amongst professional athletes, data shows that up to 35% of elite athletes suffer from a mental health crisis that may manifest as stress, burnout, or depression and anxiety, so it is critical to make mental health just as important as physical health.
Here for You. Here for Each Other. The mental health and wellbeing of all players involved in our rugby community is of utmost importance.
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors used to exert power and control over an intimate partner or family member, causing physical, emotional, or psychological harm.
RugbyWA is committed to supporting our community, and to standing against domestic and family-based violence.
- Engage in your regular exercise or preferred physical activities.
- Practice mindfulness and meditation techniques.
- Practice self-compassion – this involves being kind and understanding to yourself. Treat yourself like you are your own best friend!
- Spend time with your favourite people having fun. Laughing and positive social interaction has been shown to significantly promote positive wellbeing!
- Prioritise getting enough sleep.
- Eat well and avoid harmful levels of alcohol.
- Talk it through with a mate, coach, club or team member.
- Take time out. This includes taking a break from your responsibilities if you need to.
- Practice deep breathing techniques. An example of this is the 5X5X5 Breathing Technique. To do this technique you inhale for a count of 5, hold for a count of 5, then exhale for a count of 5, and you do that 5 times.
- Relax your face then body muscle by muscle. This is called Progressive Muscle Relaxation or PMR. You do this by lying down and gently sequentially tensing each large muscle group for 5 seconds, then relaxing.
- Spend time outdoors in nature.
- Get some sunshine - while staying sun smart!
- Set a good example for others by talking about mental health and seeking professional support.
- Find a wellbeing resource that works for you.
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.
TrueSport's Mental Health and Wellbeing Toolkit offers clubs, communities and administrations resources to support mental health and wellbeing within the sporting space. These resources are free, and cover critical incidents, sports administration, and club and community toolkits.
True Sport's Mental Health First Aid Tip Sheet provides helpful information on supporting someone experiencing a mental health crisis.
R U OK? has developed FREE resources with practical tools and tips for grassroots sporting clubs and organisations to learn how to spot the signs that someone in their community might be struggling with life's ups and downs.
Whether you're a coach, official, volunteer, administrator, participant or a combination of these roles, these resources can empower you with the knowledge and confidence to have a conversation with someone in your sporting community who might be doing it tough.
Access R U OK? Sport below.
A good coach can change the game. A great coach can change a life. Be the coach that starts the conversation. R U OK? offers a Conversation Guide for Coaches to help begin the process of creating change and raising awareness around mental health within your team.
An R U OK? Culture is built on mutual respect, trust, authenticity, and a willingness to support those in your sporting community who might be struggling with life’s ups and downs. The R U OK? Practical Tools guide offers ways to change the culture around mental health within your club.
Orygen National Centre for Excellence in Youth Mental Health has created a four-part suite of resources designed to help sporting organisations support the mental wellbeing of young people aged 12-24 years of age.
Looking to have a conversation with a friend, teammate or club member about their mental health? Visit the link below for tips on how to have a supportive conversation.
Need assistance with mental health and wellbeing? The following contacts are able to provide everyone with assistance.
In the case of an Emergency, contact 000.
Lifeline - 24-hour crises counselling.
- lifeline.org.au
- Phone: 13 11 14
- Text: 0477 13 11 14 (12pm to midnight AEST) or chat online
Suicide Call Back Service - Supporting a suicide concern for you or someone else and suicide bereavement.
- Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.au
- Phone 1300 659 467
Sexual Assault Resource Centre - Provides a range of free services to people affected by sexual violence.
- Web: kemh.health.wa.gov.au/sarc
- Phone: 6458 1828
- Crisis Line: 1800 199 888
1800RESPECT - Domestic abuse hotline as well as online resources and information.
- Web: 1800respect.org.au
- Phone: 1800 737 732
Men's Domestic Violence Helpline - Provides telephone information and referrals for men who are concerned about their violent and abusive behaviours, and for male victims of family and domestic violence in Western Australia.
- Phone: 1800 000 599
Women's Domestic Violence Helpline - Provides support for women, with or without children, who are experiencing family and domestic violence in Western Australia.
- Phone: 1800 007 339
MensLine Australia - 24/7 support for men and boys dealing with family and relationship difficulties. Support for men who are concerned that their behaviour is hurting the people they care about.
- Web: mensline.org.au
- Phone: 1300 78 99 78
Beyond Blue - Telephone and online counselling as well as online resources and information.
- Web: beyondblue.org.au
- Phone: 1300 224 636
Kids Helpline - Free confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
- Web: kidshelpline.com.au
- Phone: 1800 551 800
QLife - Support for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Website: qlife.org.au
- Helpline: 1800 184 527
National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline
- Phone: 1800 250 015
Headspace - Online, phone support and drop-in centres for 12-25 year olds.
- Web: headspace.org.au
Head to Health - Free advice and connection to local mental health services that will be most suitable to your needs.
- Web: headtohealth.gov.au
- Phone: 1800 595 212 between 8:30am to 5pm on weekdays (public holidays excluded)
Standby - Support and information after a suicide has occurred.
- Web: standbysupport.com.au
- Phone: 1300 727 247