By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
WHEN it comes to football and netball players, mental health often takes a back seat to physical training.
However, Belgrave Football and Netball Club has put the issue in the spotlight having recently been announced the successful recipient of a mental health grant.
The funding will see six members of the club trained through Mental Health First Aid International. Club president Colin Francis said mental wellbeing was a priority at the club.
“We’re committed to taking a holistic approach to the development of our players. It’s been a conscious decision by the committee to look after the mental health of everyone at the club.
“The age of most of our players puts them at higher risk. We’re taking a proactive approach with hopes of preventing problems before they arise.”
The grants will collectively see training provided to almost 600 Victorians across 60 community-based organisations and eight Services Connect Partnerships across the state.
Members of the club will be trained to identify and respond to the early signs of mental illness.
Minister for Health, Mary Wooldridge, announced the recipients of the grants, and said that mental health impacted all sectors of the community.
“More than one-in-five people in our community will experience some form of mental illness and it is critical we give local community groups the skills and confidence to provide a first response to the mental health crisis.”
“This investment is about providing practical and grassroots training to individuals to enable them to make a real difference in their local communities.”
The Napthine Government committed $350,000 to the grants, with the aim of helping build mental health and resilience in local communities.
