The Sydney Swans will be directing donations raised at this weekend’s Pride Game to Black Dog Institute, to support mental health initiatives specifically for young people.
The Swans and Black Dog Institute partnered to deliver our second wellbeing webinar to 1100 high school students this week.
The webinar gave students strategies to practice positive mental health and discussed the importance of being both physically and mentally fit, drawing on the experiences of Sydney Swans players.
While maintaining mental fitness is important for everyone, research has found significant links between discrimination and poorer mental health outcomes for members of the LGBTIQ community.
Statistics show that LGBTIQ young people are twice as likely to be diagnosed with a mental health condition, six times more likely to have suicidal thoughts and five times more likely to make an attempt on their life than their heterosexual peers.*
Director of the Black Dog Institute Professor Helen Christensen AO said the Pride Game is a chance to both celebrate and contemplate.
“The Black Dog Institute is greatly committed to ensuring all Australians, no matter their gender or background, have access to timely, effective and scientifically proven mental health treatments and services”, Professor Christensen said.
“As partners of the Sydney Swans, we are thrilled to see this important cause be given such a prominent platform as players unite behind the rainbow flag at the Pride Game.
“Mental health issues don’t discriminate, and we hope the Game serves as a timely reminder that equality on and off the field is a significant protective factor for better mental health outcomes amongst the LGBTIQ community.”
There are a host of online tools and resources to help maintain mental fitness. These include:
Mindstrength - Short interactive modules aimed at increasing understanding and developing resilience.
Reach Out - Support services for LGBTQI+ youth.
Qheadspace - Online peer support for young LGBTQI+ people.
QLife Chat - Online chat for LGBTQI+ people available from 3pm-midnight daily.
How to help someone else - Information about supporting a family member or friend.
Helpful conversations - Interactive video with insight on how to talk to someone you're worried about.
Staying on track - Interactive video featuring young people with lived experience giving advice on keeping yourself mentally healthy.
*Statistics from:
Morris, ‘Snapshot of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Statistics for LGBTI People and Communities’. National LGBTI Health Alliance, 2016
K.H. Robinson et al., ‘Growing Up Queer: Issues Facing Young Australians Who Are Gender Variant and Sexuality Diverse’,Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, 2014.
