Mental Health Programs

SANFL is committed to promoting the importance of the mental health and wellbeing of our football community in SA.

We strive to educate and raise awareness, including building capacity of key community members to recognise the signs, activate early intervention and support those that may be experiencing a mental illness.

We can do this thank to our partners in mental health.

Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to tackling mental health head on.

As Australia’s only dedicated mental health research foundation, they exist to support ground breaking research that will help to transform the lives of those affected by mental health issues.

SANFL partners with Breakthrough each year in the delivery the “Breakthrough Community Round”, where SANFL Clubs and Community Clubs participate to raise awareness and funds for the foundation.

Tackle Your Feelings is a mental health training program for Community Club Coaches.

The AFL Coaches and Players association in partnership with Zurich have established this community initiative, to educate and assist coaches to look after the mental wellbeing of themselves, their players and those involved in the Community Club environment.

Tackle Your Feelings aims to:

• Raise awareness and remove stigma association with mental health
• Strengthen club culture and support a mentally healthy community through accreditation
• Provide coaches with confidence and skills to identify issues and access tools to proactively manage themselves and others

For over 30 years, Sports Chaplaincy Australia has been caring for athletes at every level – both on and off the field by providing trusted pastoral care to invest into the complete athlete and their entire sporting community.

They also provide a ClubCare Cover service.

When a club you represent has a critical incident, traumatic loss, suicide, severe injury or difficult moment, ClubCare Cover can provide the crisis support needed as soon as required. Too often coaches, managers and club officials are not equipped to handle all the life and wellbeing needs of their players, staff members and wider sporting community.

In the event of a crisis, you and all your association leadership need peace of mind. So, through ClubCare Cover, it’s reassuring to know you’re covered. And that’s through accredited sports chaplains who will provide that immediate, critical incident pastoral care for all the members of your sporting community as needed.

Lifeline Australia

24 hours / 7 days a week support available through phone, online chat and or text message.

• Short-term support for people who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping or staying safe
• confidential one-to-one support with a trained Lifeline telephone crisis supporter
• Listen without judgment
• Provide a safe space to discuss your needs, worries or concerns
• Work with you to explore options for support

Call 13 11 14, Text 0477 131 114 or visit https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Kids Help Line

Call 1800 55 1800 or visit https://kidshelpline.com.au/ 

Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.

All calls and chats are one-on-one with a trained mental health professional, and completely confidential.

Phone support is available 24/7.

Call 1300 22 4636 or visit https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

MensLine Australia

MensLine Australia offers free professional 24/7 telephone counselling support for men with concerns about mental health, anger management, family violence (using and experiencing), addiction, relationship, stress and wellbeing.

They also offer online chat and video call services.

Call 1300 78 99 78 or visit https://mensline.org.au/