Health & wellbeing

headspace Darwin & AFLNT Wellbeing Champion Program

Darwin

01 Oct 2019

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Darwin
headspace Darwin & AFLNT Wellbeing Champion Program

The Wellbeing champions program

The wellbeing champion program between the AFLNT and headspace Darwin launched at the start of last season and is continuing again in season 2019/2020! The Wellbeing champions program set out to select passionate individuals who players can go to in need of support with their wellbeing and mental health. Many things happen off the field we need help with and we often are unsure of who we can turn too. With the wellbeing champions in place, we will be able to be the link between players and service providers that can further support.

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Struggling away from the footy field?

Things may happen outside of football that affects our participation in the game, whether it be training, playing or volunteering. It's important that when those things stop us from doing the things we love, we seek help. Football is often an outlet for when we are feeling down, we forget our problems and be around mates having a laugh. But if it is becoming hard to be around team mates, hard to get up to train/play or you generally feeling unmotivated, you may be developing a mental health problem. If you feel you need to talk to someone, please have a look on this page. For further more information on things such as depression, anxiety, relationship problems, grief and bullying - check out https://headspace.org.au/young-people/life-issues/

Improving your knowledge on mental health

Mental Health vs Mental Illness

Being mentally healthy is about being able to work and/or study to your full potential, cope with day-to-day stresses, be involved in your community, and live your life in a free and satisfying way. A person who has good mental health has good emotional and social wellbeing and the capacity to cope with changes and challenges.

Most of the time, metal illness doesn't just appear out of nowhere. There are early signs we can look out for that you may be developing mental health difficulties. These include:

Not enjoying or wanting to be involved in things you'd normally do or enjoy
Changes in what you eat/not eating or sleeping patterns
Getting angry easy or having problems with family and friends for no reason
Find yourself not performing your best at school/work
Being involved in risky behaviour that you'd normally avoid like taking drugs or drinking too much
Feeling down or sad and you're unsure why
Feeling like things aren't right

For more information on mental health or mental illness please go to: https://headspace.org.au/young-people/what-is-mental-health/

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Find a service

There are many services in the Northern Territory that can help you look after your wellbeing.

If you need support around things like:

Bullying
Relationship break downs
Alcohol and other drug usage
Domestic Violence
Homelessness
Emergency relief
Mental Health problems
Physical health problems
Sexual assault
Gambling

There's always a service that can help. To have a look, go to: https://ntcoss.org.au/directory/

Don't feel like talking to someone in person? eheadspace could be an option for you.

eheadspace provides online and telephone support and counselling to young people 12 - 25 and their families and friends. If you’re based in Australia and going through a tough time, eheadspace can help: https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/

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Info for helping family or friends

Helping a friend or family member through a hard time can be really difficult. For further information and tips on how you can better support a loved one, go to https://headspace.org.au/friends-and-family/life-issues/

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Cameron Ilett and Shannon Rioli discuss mental health

Maintaining your mental health is just as important as maintaining your physical health. Like our bodies, our minds need training too! But unlike training your body, it’s not always obvious what you can do to train your mind.

So we asked Nightcliff Tiger Cameron Ilett and Saint Shannon Rioli how they train their minds – what are the little or everyday things they do to reach their potential and live fun and fulfilling lives. Keep doing the stuff you love to do and the things that are important to you. It can help keep the fun in your life, give you a sense of accomplishment and purpose, boost your confidence and help to connect with others.Some of these things, such as listening to music, fishing or playing the guitar, might just be for fun, but other things like work or study give you new skills and might help to give you meaning.

Bio's of Wellbeing champions

Brett Walker

Favourite movie: The Sting

Quote: "So much injustice, so little time"

AFL Team: Sydney

AFL player: Adam Goodes

Song: Jeff Buckley- Hallelujah

Carmel Lohan

Favourite Movie: A time to Kill

AFL player: Zach Tuohy

My super power would be? Fly - Very quickly

Quote: "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars"

What are you happiest doing? Spending time with my team mates, running around and sharing a laugh

Chris Williams

Favourite movie: Avengers

Actor: Johnny Depp

What would my superpower be? To be able to control the elements

Who is someone you admire, and why? My Father, he is always working hard and loves his family

AFL Team/Player? Demons / Aaron Davey

Robert Hale- St Marys

Fav AFL player: Darcy Parish

Song: Drake - Money in the grave

Quote: "It is what it is"

Who is someone you admire, and why? Alistair Clarkson, the way he has coached

What are you happiest doing? Coaching footy, watching footy, spending time with mates and family

Louisa Bahen-Wright (PINT)

Favourite Actor: Ryan Reynolds

AFL team: Fremantle Dockers

Player: Liam Ryan/Nic Nat/Tayla Harris

Song: Don't you worry - Electric Fields

Who is someone you admire and why? My grandmother Susie. Paving the way for all girls in our family, a phenomenal woman

Natalie Harwood

What are some causes you care about? Young people getting an education

Who is someone you admire and why? My grandmother - she is very knowledgeable, kind and respectful

What are you happiest doing? Being around my family

Fav movie: Something about Mary

Song? I don't care - Justin Bieber/Ed Sheeran

James Flynn - Waratah

Fav Movie/Actor: Superbad / Mark Wahlberg

Quote: No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted

AFL Team/player: Hawthorn / Cyril Rioli

Who is someone you admire and why? Lebron James. On and off the court he seems like a great guy with great morals.

What are some cause you care about? Autism Awareness Australia, Beyondblue & Kids helpline

Jan Wray

Fav Movie: Step brothers

Actor: Keanu Reeves

Quote: "Prevention is better than cure"

AFL team: Carlton

AFL Player: Ed Curnow

Nat Althouse - Buffaloes

Lisa Smith- St Marys

Fav AFL Team/Player: Essendon / Tim Watson

Movie/Actor: Happy Gilmore / Adam Sandler

Quote: "Life's like a box of chocolates"

What would your super power be? Read minds

What are some causes you care about? Mental Health and improving Aboriginal health

Tim Friend

Fav movie/ Actor: Rock 'n' Rolla/Tom Hardy

AFL Team/player: Collingwood/Jordan De Goey

Song: Blackened - Metallica

What are you happiest doing? Being with my daughter

Who is someone you admire and why? Dylan Alcott and Kurt Fearnley, incredible attitudes and accomplishments.

Lori Niven

Favourite movie: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

AFL Team: Essendon

AFLW player: Danielle Ponter

If I were a superhero, what would my superpower be? To know if someone is telling the truth or a lie

What are some causes you care about? Climate Change

Richie Pendle

Favourite Movie: Inception

AFL team: Port Adelaide

AFL player: Shannon Hurn

Song: Uptown Folks - Dope Lemon

Happiest doing: Hanging out with mates and doing an activity in the outdoors like hiking, camping and swimming.

Hannah Turnbull

Favourite movie: Talladega Nights

AFLW player: Erin Phillips

If I were a superhero, what would my superpower be? To FLY!

What are you happiest doing? Walking the dogs, playing footy, going to the markets, & travelling!

What are some causes you care about? Closing the Gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians health and life expectancy.

Emergency Assistance

If you or someone you know is at risk of harming themselves or others please click on https://nt.gov.au/wellbeing/mental-health/24-hour-mental-health-hotlines for further information.

If you require emergency assistance, please call emergency services on 000.

Would you like to get involved in the program? Would you like to complete a Mental Health First Aid course? Talk to your club today!

The wellbeing champion program is a collaboration between the AFLNT and headspace Darwin and aims to select a male and female from each club to be a go to person for players who need support with their wellbeing. Many things happen off the field we need help with and we often are unsure of who we can turn too. With the wellbeing champions in place, we will be able to be the link between players and service providers that can further support you.