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Sunraysia Rugby League Doing Its Bit For Mental Health

25 October 2017

The Sunraysia Rugby League is working to remove the stigma around mental illness thanks to State of Mind, a grassroots mental health program supported by the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing Martin Foley was in Mildura to thank the Sunraysia Rugby League administrators, coaches and players for their work in increasing the conversation around mental health, and raising awareness within the community.

The State of Mind program is a place-based trial developed by the National Rugby League in 2016 to address mental health within the rugby league community and brings together experts and resources within the local community to develop a plan to deliver effective local suicide prevention.

Sunraysia Rugby League is the first full league to complete the State of Mind Program in Victoria.

The trials are being delivered in partnership with Primary Health Networks across 12 twelve locations including Mildura, Mornington Peninsula/Frankston, Dandenong, Latrobe Valley, Bass Coast, Brimbank/Melton, Macedon Ranges, Whittlesea, Maroondah, Benalla, Ballarat and the Great South Coast.

The Government provided $27 million for two flagship mental health initiatives, including place-based trials and assertive outreach trials – which provide individual support for people leaving hospital after a suicide attempt.

Each year, one in five Victorians will experience a mental illness – and suicide is Australia’s single biggest health issue, taking twice as many lives as the road toll.

The Labor Government released the Victorian Suicide Prevention Framework in 2016 as part of its 10-Year Mental Health Plan, which sets out shared goals for the future of mental health services in Victoria and a vision for the wellbeing of all Victorians.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing Martin Foley

“Sadly, Victorian men are at higher risk of poor mental health – that’s why the State of Mind program and work done by Sunraysia Rugby League are so important when it comes to raising awareness around mental health.”

“The partnership between the State of Mind mental health program and the National Rugby League allows those in sporting communities facing difficulties to be connected with local mental health services.”

Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp

“These place-based trials deliver suicide prevention strategies tailored to each community’s unique needs, and I’m proud to see the Sunraysia Rugby League step up and get involved in mental health advocacy.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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