PIRATES Rugby Club will be doing their bit to help promote mental health and awareness by hosting a community event on Wednesday night.
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The club will be opening the lines of communication regarding mental health as a part of NSW Rugby and batyr's Get Talkin' Tour.
Featuring NSW Waratah's players like Glen Innes native Alex Newsome, the event will offer hands-on training for coaches and team members in how to address mental health issues.
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Pirates' president Tom Cutcliffe said Wednesday's event would benefit the entire community.
"I know in the past, players never really talked much about mental health," Cutcliffe told the Leader.
"It's now a really prevalent issue in our community, especially in tough times like drought.
"I think it is fantastic that rugby is getting on the front foot with this initiative and we are really proud to be doing our bit as a club."
As well as offering hands-on training, the event will also assist clubs in implementing a mental health ambassador for the future.
"From what I understand, a mental health ambassador is someone who members of our club can come to and talk about anything," Cutcliffe said.
"Personally, I think that it is a fantastic idea.
"Nearly everyone feels pressure for one reason or another, so to have someone to talk to confidentially about those things is vital.
"Whether it's a young player, who may be feeling the pressure of stepping up to senior level, or an experienced player dealing with something off the field, this ambassador will be there for all of them."
The Get Talkin' Tour is an initiative of mental health awareness foundation batyr and NSW Rugby, and has been spreading the message of mental health across the state.
Wednesday's event at Ken Chillingworth Oval comes off the back of a session held at the Quirindi Rugby Club last night and will be followed by a similar session in Armidale on Thursday.
"Mental health is something that I think has touched everyone in some way or another," Cutcliffe said.
"It would be great to see a lot of people come to the session and everyone is welcome."
Wednesday's event begins at 5.30pm with a free barbecue provided.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
