AFL, AFLPA and beyondblue to tackle depression together

18 April 2007

The Australian Football League and the AFL Players' Association have joined with beyondblue: the national depression initiative to tackle depression, anxiety and related problems among AFL players and staff who work with them.

A training session called Tackling Depression will be presented firstly to players at their individual clubs and later to coaches, umpires, staff of football clubs, the AFL and AFLPA.

The session aims to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of depression, to reduce the stigma often associated with depression and to encourage people to seek help.

Videotaped interviews and mini-dramas have been incorporated into the training sessions. These include:

*    an interview with Kangaroos player Nathan Thompson who talks about his experience of depression and recovery

*    an interview with Swans player Adam Goodes who discusses what could make an Indigenous player   susceptible to depression  and where help's available

and two mini-dramas in a sports setting which illustrate:

    *       behaviour which could indicate a person is depressed
    *       how to approach a person who may be having a tough time.

Several fact sheets have been produced by beyondblue (in association with The AFL and AFLPA) addressing common concerns about medical and psychological treatment for depression and the likely impact on performance.

beyondblue Chairman The Hon. Jeff Kennett said: "For too long there have been players who've been afraid to seek help for depression for fear of jeopardising their careers. It's time to get rid of the stigma and misconceptions associated with depression and its treatment and give players' mental health the same attention we give their physical health."

AFL Players' Association Chief Executive Officer Brendon Gale said: "The AFL Players' Association fully supports this industry wide effort aimed at tackling depression within the AFL.

"The AFLPA and beyondblue have worked together to ensure that the information delivered to players is relevant to the AFL football environment.

"With good reason, the prevention and treatment of physical injury to AFL players is the subject of tremendous effort and thought. But it's also appropriate that a similar level of commitment and energy is given to the prevention and treatment of mental illness.

"By partnering with Australia's leading depression-awareness organisation beyondblue, we are confident that we are providing best practice support and information to AFL players and indeed our staff."

AFL General Manager Football Operations Adrian Anderson said the Tackling Depression training session would provide a better understanding about impact and triggers of depression and related illness and those seeking assistance will be encouraged as early as possible.

"Like many people in the broader community who experience depression, players generally feel ashamed to reveal this illness because of the lack of awareness. This program will help people in football to be more aware of symptoms and ensure players get the support and assistance they need," Mr Anderson said.

Sessions are planned to commence in April 2007 and will be run separately for players, club and AFL staff and umpires nationally.