A new initiative is helping local football clubs kick new goals when it comes to mental health support and awareness.

The Mental Health Aware program aims to provide clubs with the opportunity to explore an issue that affects every area of a person’s life.

 “It’s vital that we equip our community with the resources and knowledge to identify and support each other when and where it is needed,” Community Activities Lake Macquarie (CALM) Development Officer Bradley Dunn said.

The program will help the clubs improve their ability to identify and respond to players in need of mental health support with free training, resources, and connections to local support agencies.

CALM Chief Executive Sheena Harvey added the program is being rolled out during a time when many are struggling.

“COVID has placed a huge amount of strain on mental health and community sport is an avenue to provide support,” she says.

“The more people that come forward and the more people that speak up the better.

“With an increasing number of high-profile sports professionals sharing their experiences about mental illness, the conversation around when and how to provide support has become an important one around clubs.”

Funded by the NSW Ministry of Health, the initiative is run by CALM in conjunction with Newcastle Football.

Ms Harvey said Newcastle Football came on board because it is a cause close to the organisation’s heart.

“They really want to help their players,” she says.

“They know that young people trust their coaches and sporting teams.”

In October, the organisation’s will also host a Mental Health Aware round to promote the initiative and positive mental health throughout the region.

Clubs who commit to supporting the mental health of members by attending training, hosting a workshop and participating in the Mental Health Round will have the opportunity to display a new logo recognising them as a Mental Health Aware Club.

Funding is currently available for all clubs within Newcastle Football, however other districts and sporting codes are encouraged to participate and help spread the vitally important Mental Health Aware message.

To register your club for training, workshops or the Mental Health round visit the CALM website.