Basketball NSW as a recipient of the NSW Ministry of Health grant has partnered with the Australian Red Cross to launch ‘Mental Health Matters’ – a free program that will give members of the basketball community living in regional and remote areas of NSW access to free mental health training.
Mental Health Matters is a free online training program accessible for members of associations to access to enable specialised education around mental health. The program will be delivered via interactive online workshops and led by experts in the field so that participants can better recognise the signs of mental health concerns within their communities, and offer practical advice for responding to mental health challenges.
Basketball NSW CEO, Maria Nordstrom, stressed the importance of the well-being of members of basketball within the state both physically and mentally and reinforced the organisation’s commitment to providing the necessary support in the area of mental health.
“Basketball NSW is proud to offer this initiative to our associations and it’s members as the foundation for building and strengthening our sporting environments, not just on the court but off as well, said Nordstrom.
“It is more important now than ever to support one other through challenging times, and having these resources on hand will provide a great beneficial understanding on how to cope and combat certain mental health concerns across the community.”
“Our associations have strong ties to such communities and act as a liaison between social inclusion and personal development. To have our associations on board in delivering and engaging in ‘Mental Health Matters’ will go a long way in promoting mental health in order to start those important conversations at the grassroots levels.”
About the ‘Mental Health Matters’ workshops:
Subject to NSW Government travel restrictions, these “Mental Health Matters” workshops will be delivered online using Zoom. These free workshops are perfect and aimed at assisting coaches, administrators and volunteers to recognise the signs and symptoms of someone with mental health concerns.
The workshops will cover:
∙ Mental illness definition – Provides a clear definition of mental illness current mental health best practices to support a healthy workplace.
∙ Impacts of mental illness – Describes the impact that an unsupported illness can have.
∙ Mental illness in Australian sporting environment – Depression, anxiety, substance misuse, psychosis (case studies and discussions will be tailored)
∙ Recognition and support of mental illness – Warning signs and symptoms, professional and other local support for mental health.
∙ Crisis situations – Recognition and support for mental health-related crisis situations including suicide, self-harm, panic attacks, overdose and traumatic events.
∙ Understanding your role of support – Working within parameters to provide effective support.
∙ Achieving an awareness of mental health awareness – Strategies suitable for sporting organisations and their athletes.
∙ Mental illness support and assistance – Useful mental health support and local resources.
Mental Health Matters Workshops:
Online courses are open to everyone. Regions listed are to encourage participants to get involved in this workshop so you are engaging with other local participants. However we understand differing commitments so please register for one you can attend if your local region does not suit.
→ Monday 9th August 6-7.30pm: online – Northern Inland
→ Thursday 19th August 6-7.30pm: online – Hunter
→ Friday 27th August 6-7.30pm: online – Far North Coast
→ Wednesday 8th September 6-7.30pm: online – Western
→ Thursday 16th September 6-7.30pm: online – North Cost
→ Wednesday 6th October 6-7.30pm: online – Riverina
→ Wednesday 13th October 6-7.30pm: online – South Coast
→ Friday 22nd October 6-7.30pm: online – Far North Coast/North Coast/Northern Inland/Hunter
→ Saturday 30th October 1.30-3pm: online – Western/Riverina & overflow
→ Saturday 6th November 1.30-3pm: online – South Coast & overflow
How to apply:
CLICK HERE to apply.
Each workshop has a maximum of 20 participants and is only open to Basketball NSW members and associations.
Contact Amy Nolan amy.nolan@bnsw.com.au or call Australian Red Cross on 1800 733 276 if you have any further questions about the program.
This program is funded through the Mental Health Sports Fund Grant program, which is a state government initiative between the NSW Ministry of Health and the NSW Office of Sport.
For further information about Australian Red Cross First Aid & Mental Health – redcross.org.au/firstaid
COVID-10: Red Cross is here to help. Red Cross has developed tips and information to help you cope with the impacts of COVID-19. Find out more here.
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