A VISIT from a star AFL footballer has reminded young athletes in Somerville to talk to each other about their mental health.
Western Bulldogs midfielder Adam Treloar visited Somerville Football Club last week to talk to young men playing with the club. He delivered an important message about mental health to the players.
“Whilst the conversations around mental health are improving, the culture of men not talking about their emotions in sport continues to be a problem,” Treloar said. “I want to help inspire young people out there, to not only strive for their goals, but to take care of themselves in the process – and that starts with having open conversations about mental health.”
The visit was organised in partnership with Left and Right Counselling. The group’s CEO Daniel Lennon said the visit highlighted the need to assist men with their mental health struggles.
“80 percent of the young people we help at Left and Right Counselling are female, but it’s not because they are the only ones suffering – young men are just too afraid to talk,” Lennon said. “The mental health of young people in Victoria is declining, especially around the Frankston and Mornington regions.
“Whilst social media has a lot to answer for, so does our government as it continues to defund free services, like our own, putting more vulnerable teens at risk amidst this growing mental health crisis.”
First published in the Frankston Times – 25th July 2023