This Saturday VFL clubs Werribee Tigers and Box Hill Hawks will highlight the importance of good mental health when they clash for the beyondblue Cup at Avalon Airport Oval. This is the fifth year that Werribee and Box Hill football clubs have teamed up with beyondblue to help raise awareness of depression and anxiety, and encourage everyone in the sporting community to take action to help themselves or someone else if they’re having a tough time.
This is the Hawks’ chance to wrest the Cup from the Tigers’ hands where it’s been for the last three years.
CEO of beyondblue Kate Carnell AO said she greatly appreciates the support the VFL clubs give beyondblue in reminding people that having good mental health is as important as having good physical health.
“The VFL beyondblue Cup is a great opportunity for beyondblue to reach out to men who, according to our research, have a one in eight chance of experiencing depression, and a one in five chance of experiencing anxiety at some stage in their lives, yet they are less likely than women to take action to do something about it.
“We’ve recently launched a new website www.mantherapy.org.au hosted by “Dr Brian Ironwood”, a fictional character created to spearhead the Man Therapy Campaign, which tackles the serious subject of depression and anxiety in men in a humorous way,” Ms Carnell said.
Dr Brian Ironwood said taking action on depression and anxiety is the manly thing to do.
“Blokes are happy to get all touchy feely on the sporting field, but when it comes to getting in touch with their feelings and emotions on the ‘not-sporting-field’ (sometimes known as life), they tend to drop the ball! Well men, it’s time to pick up your game and grab the bull by the horns – or by the balls if it will let you – and bloody well get on with it,” he said.
Ms Carnell thanked Dr Ironwood for his sage advice and she encourages all men – and those with a man in their life, to check out the website or pick up some beyondblue information materials on depression and anxiety at Saturday’s game.
The Werribee Football Club General Manager, Mark Penaluna said: “We are very happy having beyondblue as our community partner and this has been the case for five years. We understand the importance of their message and the work they do in the community especially in the City of Wyndham and we support them in every way we can. The beyondblue Cup is one we like to have in our trophy cabinet at Avalon Airport Oval and we will be endeavouring to have it in our hands after the game on Saturday.”
Box Hill Football Club General Manager Paul Barnard said the Hawks are also excited to be continuing the partnership with beyondblue and to be playing for the beyondblue Cup against Werribee Football Club. “We see strong benefits for people, especially young males, being involved with football clubs to maintain a healthy lifestyle both physically and mentally. Traditionally, our matches with Werribee have always been of the highest standard and we don’t expect Saturday’s clash to be any different,” he said.
Last Modified on 21/06/2013 16:06