Richmond Football Club acknowledges the wider community has been doing it tough throughout the challenges presented by the past two years.
It is now more important than ever for everyone to check in on their loved ones and to prioritise their mental health.
This week, as part of the Club’s annual celebration of World Mental Health Week, Richmond will be providing its people with a variety of activities and resources to help them thrive in the mental health space.
Throughout the week, Tigers staff and players will be attending virtual seminars with psychologists Sam McLeod and Dr. Justin Trounson. The Club will also host wellbeing workshops and a virtual workout session facilitated by AFLW players Sarah Hosking and Meagan Kiely.
Richmond Media will provide some content to the Tiger Army, encouraging a focus towards mental health and giving insight to the tips and tricks that have been of benefit.
Further to that, Richmond staff members will have the opportunity to finish work early on Friday to unwind and spend valuable time with their loved ones.
Richmond CEO Brendon Gale encouraged all members and supporters to also take the time to focus on their mental health this week.
"We are mindful as a football club of the challenges that have been presented upon all of us in recent times," he added.
"Our people are our most important asset, so our message to staff, players, partners, members, supporters, and the broader Tiger Army is to look after yourself and to check in on your friends and family whenever you can.
"We have so much to look forward to and cannot wait to see everybody at the AFLW this summer and at the MCG come Round 1 of the AFL season."
The Club also notes today’s National Coming Out Day, a significant day for the LGBTQIA+ community and the mental health of many Australians.
Richmond subsidiary businesses Richmond Institute and Aligned Leisure will be acknowledging World Mental Health Week through initiatives at their workplaces and classrooms right across the state.
Richmond Institute has been championing mental health training and awareness through its community connections to deliver free mental health training to local sporting clubs through regional health initiatives and grants across the past two years.
The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course is delivered to key community groups such as sporting clubs and workplaces to increase mental health literacy and confidence in providing mental health first aid while decreasing stigmatising attitudes.
Take the time today to look after your own mental health!
Mental Health Resources:
Mental health toolkit for Australian workers - Black Dog Institute
Tips and tricks for dealing with your mental health from Richmond Wheelchair Football Captain, Chris Henderson and vice-captain Adam Georgelin:
- Be Kind to yourself. And by extension be kind to others. It will change everything.
- Spend 5 minutes every morning and focus on “Being”. Rather than Doing
- Write a to-do list. Think about what you need to do today.
- Go for a walk
- Be present in the moment, take some deep breathes and it can change everything
- Playing sport and being active
- Mental stimulation
