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 introduce the PFL Member Assistance Program, 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 now provides confidential, professional support services for anyone in the PFL community experiencing mental health challenges, personal stress, or emotional strain. 

What’s Included 

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

24/7 Availability 
Support is available around the clock when it’s needed most. 

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

Available to All Members 
Open to all players, coaches, umpires, volunteers, and administrators across PFL clubs. 

How to Access Support 

Accessing help is simple and completely confidential: 

  1. Visit this https://accesswellbeingservices.com.au/online-booking-request-form/  

  1. Follow the prompts to request a counselling session 

  1. List your organisation as the Perth Football League 

  1. You’ll be contacted by Access Wellbeing Services to arrange your session 

All information remains strictly confidential. The League will not be informed of who accesses the service. 

Help Us Spread the Word 

We encourage clubs to promote the program and help raise awareness of mental health support within the football community. 

Resources available: 

  • Download the poster to pin up around the club 

Together, we can create a culture where mental health and wellbeing are valued as much as physical health. 

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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