Walters signs on as One Life ambassadorFriday, January 16, 2015 - 10:55 AM

Fremantle Dockers forward Michael Walters has been appointed as a One Life ambassador as part of a partnership between the Mental Health Commission, Fremantle Football Club and the West Australian Football Commission.

Walters said he was passionate about getting involved to try and spread positive messages to the indigenous community.

“This is a big issue with indigenous people, not just here in the Perth community but up north, down south and around the regional areas,” Walters said.

“If I can help to raise the profile of One Life and spread positive messages, especially to the younger community, then I’d like to try and make an impact.”

Mental Health Minister Helen Morton was thrilled to have Walters join forces with One Life.

“Having Michael Walters on board as a suicide prevention ambassador will help reduce stigma around mental health and suicide among Aboriginal people, who have a higher rate of suicide than the Western Australian average,” she said.

“Michael is already regarded as a mentor and role model by young Aboriginal men and he will be using his influence in a positive way to spread the message that it is ok to talk and ask for help.”

Over the past two years, the West Australian Football Commission’s partnership with One Life has seen more than 100 ambassadors trained including coaches, volunteers and football players .

The WAFC’s partnership with One Life has also included:

• A Youth Leadership Program that educated young football leaders to become advocates of good mental health and suicide prevention.
• Equipping over 1000 coaches with the knowledge to recommend help for players if required.
• Raised awareness and reduced the stigma surrounding suicide through the promotion of suicide education and prevention to over 100,000 people from the football fraternity at a range of high-profile and community based events including AFL and WAFL matches.
• A suicide education and prevention presentation to WAFC staff and associated groups including Executives and Commissioners.
• One Life Round at the WAFL and community football

Last year, the WAFC was recognised at the Mental Health Good Outcomes Awards for the delivery of Mental Health programs in partnership with the One Life Suicide Prevention Program.

The WAFC received the Edith Cowan University Award for prevention, promotion and/or early intervention service or program for the programs delivered under the One Life Suicide Prevention message.

For more information on the One Life program and suicide prevention visit: www.onelifewa.com.au

Fact File

• One Life is the WA initiative to strengthen families, communities and workplaces, and build resilience to prevent suicide
• The State Government announced $155,680 for Aboriginal suicide prevention programs and training on 8 January 2015
• Under the State Suicide Prevention Strategy, the State Government has invested $21m into suicide prevention initiatives since 2009
• A new multi-year suicide prevention strategy is under development that recognises Aboriginal people as a priority population

Need help?

Lifeline 13 11 14

Beyondblue 1300 22 4636

Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467