Mental Health Resources & Support

Your Mental Health Matters

Your mental health deserves the same care and attention as your physical health, both on and off the field. In the past 12 months, one in five Australians has experienced a mental health condition, and among 16 to 24-year-olds, that number rises to two in five.

These statistics are a powerful reminder that many people around us may be struggling, including teammates, coaches, volunteers or friends. This page brings together key mental health contacts, support services and crisis lines to help you or someone you know access the right support when it’s needed most.

Mental Health Resources for Clubs 

Aboriginal and First National Mental Health and Crisis Support 

Explore our Aboriginal and First Nations page for guidance, resources, and support to help your club create a culturally safe and inclusive environment. Mental health support information and wellbeing resources can also be found on this page. 

True Sport

True Sport is SportWest’s mental health and wellbeing initiative supporting the WA sporting community.

The initiative helps State Sporting Associations and other sporting organisation staff respond to mental health incidents and promote proactive wellbeing in community sport.

Access key True Sport resources for mental health and wellbeing below: 

Tackle Your Feelings 

Tackle Your Feelings is a mental health training program designed specifically for community football clubs. Developed by the AFL Coaches Association, AFL Players Association and Zurich Insurance, the program helps coaches, players and club members recognise the signs of mental ill-health and build the skills to support others.

Clubs and individuals can access a range of free resources and workshops to strengthen wellbeing and create supportive club environments. Explore the links below to learn more or to book a session in, click the drop down "Tackle Your Feelings | Book a Club Session" below. 

 

In case of an emergency, contact 000.  

If your club has experiences a hardship or critical incident, clubs are encouraged to get in contact with the League’s Wellbeing Coordinator, Henry Beus, who will assist the club in navigating the time and providing resources - henry@perthfootball.com.au

Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL) 
A 24-hour telephone service for people in the Perth metropolitan area experiencing a mental health crisis. 

  • Metro: 1300 555 788 

  • Peel: 1800 676 822 

  • Availability: 24 hours, 7 days a week 

Lifeline 
Provides 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups, and suicide prevention services. 

  • Call 13 11 14 

  • Text 0477 13 11 14 (12pm–midnight AEST) 

StandBy Support After Suicide 
A suicide postvention program assisting people and communities bereaved or impacted by suicide. 

  • Call 1300 727 247 

Beyond Blue 
Provides 24/7 telephone and online counselling, plus a wide range of mental health resources and information. 

  • Call 1300 224 636 

13YARN 
A national crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, offering confidential one-on-one support with a trained Indigenous crisis supporter. 

  • Available 24/7 

The Perth Football League is proud to provide the PFL Member Assistance Program (MAP), an initiative designed to support the mental health and wellbeing of all players, coaches, umpires, volunteers and club officials across our League.

In partnership with Healthway and Think Mental Health, the League provides confidential, professional support services for anyone within the PFL community experiencing mental health challenges, personal stress, emotional strain, or simply needing someone to talk to.

Delivered through Clear Health Psychology, the program provides access to qualified professionals and aims to make seeking support simple, accessible and confidential. The program is designed to ensure members can access support when they need it, while continuing to build a football environment where mental wellbeing is valued just as highly as physical wellbeing.

What’s Included 

Free Counselling Support
• Up to three (3) confidential counselling sessions per member each year with qualified professionals.

No Referral Required
• Members can access support directly and anonymously, without requiring a GP referral or club involvement.

Available to All Members
• Open to all registered players, coaches, umpires, volunteers and club administrators across the Perth Football League community.

WA-Based Support Network
• Access to experienced professionals through a broad WA-based support network, with clinician matching based on individual needs where possible.

Critical Incident Support
• Additional support may also be available to assist clubs and individuals following critical incidents where required.

How to Access Support 

Accessing support is simple and completely confidential.

Option 1 – Phone Booking

  1. Contact the Clear Health Psychology Intake Team on (08) 6424 8177
  2. Quote the Perth Football League booking code: PFL2026
  3. Their team will assist with booking and matching you with a suitable clinician

Option 2 – Online Booking Request

  1. Complete the online booking enquiry form:
    Clear Health Psychology Online Booking Form
  2. List your organisation/company as Perth Football League
  3. A member of the Clear Health Psychology team will contact you to arrange your session

All information remains strictly confidential. The Perth Football League will not be informed of who accesses the service and no identifying information is shared with the League.

Mental Health Emergencies and Crisis Support

Please note that the Member Assistance Program is designed to provide wellbeing and counselling support and is not a crisis response service.

If you or someone you know requires immediate support, please contact:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL): 1300 555 788
• 000 if there is an immediate risk to life or safety

Help Us Spread the Word

We encourage clubs to actively promote the program and continue helping build a culture where mental health and wellbeing are openly discussed and supported throughout our football community.

Resources available include:

• Downloadable poster for display around clubrooms and changerooms 
• Social media tiles and promotional assets for club channels 
• Member Assistance Program resources to share with players, coaches and volunteers

Together, we can create an environment where looking after your mental wellbeing is just as important as looking after your physical wellbeing.

The Perth Football League is proud to partner with Tackle Your Feelings, a free mental health training program designed specifically for players, coaches, committee members and club support staff across community AFL clubs. 

Each 90-minute session is delivered in-person by a qualified local psychologist at your club and is designed to give participants the skills to: 

  • Understand the basics of mental health and wellbeing 
  • Recognise the signs of when someone might be struggling 
  • Respond appropriately and confidently to a teammate, friend or club member in need 

To support clubs in hosting these sessions, the Perth Football League will provide catering on the night and work with you to tailor the session content to best suit your club’s needs. 

Led by high-profile player and coach ambassadors, the workshop empowers community leaders to foster mentally healthy environments and reduce stigma around mental health. 

To enquire about hosting a Tackle Your Feelings session at your club, reach out to Henry Beus (henry@perthfootball.com.au) at the League. 

To read more about the program head to: https://www.tackleyourfeelings.org.au/  

 

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