The AFL (Australian Football League) has joined forces with Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health, to unveil the second edition of an evidence-based guide aimed at promoting mental health and early intervention programs for both professional and grassroots sporting organizations.
The guide, titled “What Works For Mental Health In Sporting Teams?,” is designed to provide sporting teams and associations with expert insights into the evidence behind mental health programs. This resource is now freely accessible to all community and professional sporting clubs.
The release of the second edition follows the widespread adoption of mental health awareness programs by sporting clubs since the groundbreaking first edition was launched in 2020. The first edition has been utilized by sports organizations globally and remains a unique resource in its category.
The new edition features updated evaluations of existing mental health programs and assesses eight new programs. Professor Rosemary Purcell, the lead author and Orygen’s Head of Elite Sports and Mental Health, commended the AFL for its leadership in emphasizing the importance of evidence in mental health programs.
“The AFL has shown real leadership in not only promoting mental health awareness but also encouraging a focus on evidence-based solutions,” said Prof. Purcell. She highlighted the need to move beyond awareness and focus on prevention and intervention, stressing that programs in this area must be scrutinized and evidence-backed.
Dr. Kate Hall, AFL Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing, emphasized the role of football clubs and sports teams in promoting mental wellbeing and preventing mental health challenges. She underlined the importance of educating and empowering young players to look after their mental health, recognize signs of mental ill health, and know where to seek help for themselves and their teammates.
The guide’s research indicates that there is a need for a robust evidence base to guide mental health promotion and early intervention programs in sports. Among the findings, Movember’s “Ahead of the Game” became the first program to receive a full three-star rating, based on at least three high-quality studies assessing the effectiveness of its workshops, which aim to enhance mental health literacy and encourage open discussions about mental health among athletes, parents, and coaches.
The partnership with Movember will enable “Ahead of the Game” to be introduced to football communities nationwide, further advancing mental health awareness and support in the sports realm.
