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Mental Health & Wellbeing

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health and there are many people who understand what it is like to not be feeling like yourself or not coping with things.

At Basketball NSW, we believe that mental health is just as important as physical health. We are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where every player, coach, official and staff member feels valued and heard. Our goal is to promote mental well-being, access to online mental health resources, and a culture that respects all people.

We understand that mental health challenges can affect anyone, and we are dedicated to providing the necessary support to help our community thrive. By acknowledging that we are not alone, we can reduce mental health stigma, encourage open conversations, and promote empathy and understanding among individuals. Remember taking care of your mental health is not a sign of weakness but of strength and self-awareness.

Together, we can build a healthier, happier, and more productive basketball community.

WHERE TO FIND URGENT SUPPORT

If you need support, help is available:

Support Helplines & Websites

GETTING HELP FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. If you or someone you know is worried about a mental health issue, your doctor is a great person who can help decide what support you might need or refer you to a counsellor or other specialist.  If you are under 16, please talk to your parent, guardian, or a close relative about how you are feeling and ask if they can take you to the doctor.

Some Resources

When you’re not feeling great, it can be overwhelming. Here’s some resources that might be useful:

WHAT ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS CAN DO

It is important that players, coaches, officials and volunteers of sporting teams are able to open up to each other and have meaningful conversations.

The following can assist clubs in mental wellbeing awareness and supporting players, coaches, volunteers and officials.

Basketball associations and clubs are a great places to help break down stigma and start conversations on mental health.

  • Offer free talks or training to members
  • Have mental health days or dedicated rounds to raise awareness
  • Partner with local mental health agencies and support services

Leaders should proactively discuss:

  • Creating a mentally healthy workplace for your volunteers and staff
  • Creating positive environments for sports participation
  • Being inclusive and supportive of people with mental health issues.

Do this by considering:

  • Having a good understanding of mental health yourself – be a role model
  • Training and educating key people in your club on mental health
  • Discussing mental health and risks for your club at meetings
  • Develop, adopt and enforce policies and codes which support positive environments (e.g. anti bullying)
  • Ask members for ideas and listen.

ASSOCIATION PROGRAMS & RESOURCES