Mental Health Week officially kicked off over the weekend, marking a dedicated time across Australia to raise awareness and spark important conversations around mental health and wellbeing.
As part of the True Sport program, SportWest are proud to announce the launch of our new True Sport Mental Health & Wellbeing Initiative on World Mental Health Day – Tuesday, 10 October 2023.
About the Initiative
The True Sport Mental Health & Wellbeing Initiative, launched by SportWest and supported by the Mental Health Commission, is a comprehensive program designed to promote proactive mental health and wellbeing across community sport in Western Australia.
What’s Included in the Initiative?
The initiative offers a wide range of resources and support tools tailored for State Sporting Associations (SSAs) and community sport organisations, including:
Key Resources & Support Tools
- Video Resources & Case Studies:
Real-life stories and educational videos, including a featured case study from Volleyball WA, showcasing how sport can positively impact mental wellbeing.
- Employee & Volunteer Assistance Programs (EAP/VAP):
Access to professional psychological support services for staff and volunteers, including counselling, wellness checks, and critical incident response.
- eLearning & Events:
Online training modules and workshops to build mental health literacy and equip sport leaders with the skills to support their communities.
- Sport Administrator eToolkit:
Practical tools and templates to help clubs and associations implement mental health strategies and respond effectively to wellbeing challenges.
- Critical Incident eToolkit:
Guidance and resources to support organisations in managing and responding to mental health-related incidents within their sporting environments.
- Mental Health Champions Network:
A peer-led network of trained individuals within the sporting community who advocate for mental health awareness and provide localised support.
- Community Links:
Connections to local mental health services and organisations to strengthen referral pathways and community support.
Why It Matters
This year’s Mental Health Week theme in WA, “Empowering Communities, Thriving Workforces: A Journey Towards Investing in Our Mental Health” aligns perfectly with True Sport’s mission. By investing in the wellbeing of our sporting communities, we are investing in a stronger, more inclusive future for sport in Western Australia.
This initiative is part of True Sport’s broader mission to create safe, inclusive, and supportive sporting environments that empower individuals and communities to thrive.
You can explore the full initiative and access all resources here:
👉 True Sport Mental Health & Wellbeing Initiative
For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact our True Sport team via email truesport@sportwest.com.au
