Royals To Tackle Mental Health AwarenessWednesday, July 16, 2014 - 4:35 PM

The East Perth Football Community – consisting of the East Perth District Football Development Council (EPDFDC), its affiliated junior and senior clubs and the East Perth Football Club, has partnered with One Life and the WA Football Commission to promote the importance of mental health and wellbeing and raise awareness about suicide prevention.

“Royals One Life Round” to be held on the weekend of Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd August, raises awareness of mental health issues and promotes the message that:

“It’s okay to talk...

To your coaches;

To your parents;

To your team mates;

To a counsellor;

...if something is wrong”.

Jo Del Prete, Chair of the East Perth District, believes that football can play an important role in promoting mental health awareness.  “The Football Community can act as an important vehicle to increase awareness, educate and support a diverse section of our population - young and old; male and female - about mental health issues.”

“Football clubs bring people together, foster a sense of belonging, build self-esteem and resilience, provide an important physical outlet and galvanise in times of need, providing a strong and secure support structure”.

All footballers aged 15 years and older in the East Perth District, just under 1,000 players, will wear an orange armband on the weekend of 2nd and 3rd August to raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention.

East Perth CEO, Dean Turner, confirmed that the East Perth Football Club is in full support of “Royals One Life Round”.  Players in all 3 grades will wear the orange armbands in their Round 19 WAFL clash with Subiaco on 2nd August.  “Mental illness and suicide are significant issues facing our society.  It is important that we work together to increase awareness and provide support to those in need”, Turner said.

If you or someone you know is suffering from mental illness below is a list of professionals you can talk to;

Suicide Call Back Line: 1300 659 467

LifeLine: 13 11 14

Samaritans 24/7: 135 247

24/7 Youthline: 1800 198 313