Event: Launch of the FeBLUary campaign

Date: Friday February 5

Time: 7pm - 8.30pm

Location: Gil Langley Room, Level 3, Bradman Stand - Adelaide Oval

Thousands of South Australian cricket players will go in to bat for beyondblue: the national depression initiative this month to raise awareness about depression, anxiety and related drug and alcohol use in the sporting community.

The annual FeBLUary campaign, now in its third year, will involve 5,500 cricket players from metropolitan and country clubs and associations, as well as South Australian Grade cricketers from 13 clubs.

The campaign will be delivered in partnership with the Southern District Cricket Club, SA Cricket Association (SACA) and beyondblue.

Grade cricketers will play a blue round at Grade Clubs in Adelaide on February 13 and 20, with metropolitan and community clubs involved in a special FeBLUary Day on February 20. Players and officials will wear beyondblue wristbands and hats, the bails will be blue and beyondblue information about depression and anxiety disorders will be available.

"This season, the number of people involved has quadrupled. The initiative is a perfect fit because cricket is the kind of sport where you spend a fair bit of time sitting and chatting to your mates. If we can get players talking about their mental health and looking out for one another, then that will have a flow-on effect to the rest of the community," said SACA Grade Cricket Coordinator, Shane Bernhardt.

beyondblue CEO Leonie Young added: "FeBLUary is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of common mental health problems at matches where the community gets together. More than three million Australians currently have an anxiety disorder or depression - even very fit, elite sportspeople. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. The sooner you get the right treatment, the sooner you're back in the game. We're very pleased to have such overwhelming support from the South Australian cricket community."

ABC sports broadcaster and former NSW Country Cricket representative Craig Hamilton is beyondblue's Ambassador for FeBLUary. He said: "I think FeBLUary is a wonderful initiative. It's great to see sporting organisations taking a leading role in promoting awareness of mental health. Mental health issues don't discriminate - they can affect anyone at any time, including cricket players."

Speakers at the launch will include Craig Hamilton and beyondblue CEO Leonie Young.

For more information on depression, anxiety, related drug and alcohol problems, available treatments and where to get help, go to www.beyondblue.org.au or call the beyondblue info line 1300 22 4636 (local call).

Media contacts:
- beyondblue: 03 9810 6100 Julie Foster or Emily Armet
- SACA: Rebekah Rosser 0407 390 967