Round 6 of the TIO NTFL is beyondblue Round aiming to raise awareness for depression and anxiety and key mental health issues.
All NTFL Clubs are actively involved in seeking assistance to raise awareness particularly among their youth.
NTFL Club, the Palmerston Magpies are one such club who have been in consultation with local service providers to provide key information sessions and workshops to their youth aged footballers.
"Being a club in its own town, we have junior players that live and go to school together. Our workshops are aimed at letting these young people know that they have a network of support all around them and what some of the signs may be to look for in their mates if things are not going that well," said Magpies President Shannon Masters.
St Marys Football Club and Southern Districts Football are also active in this space and have run or looking to run similar workshops with their players and support staff.
AFLNT will be working through the month of November in consultation with key service providers such as Danila Dilba, HeadSpace NT and Anglicare NT to be part of the solution to the myriad of mental health issues that we are faced with across the Northern Territory.
beyondblue CEO Kate Carnell AO said the round gives beyondblue a unique opportunity to raise awareness about depression and anxiety in some of the most remote parts of the country.
"Footy is the number one sport in the Territory and this partnership allows us to reach all the footy fans who live there," she said.
"Unfortunately suicide rates in rural and regional parts of Australia and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are much higher than average, which is why this round is so important.
"It allows beyondblue to raise awareness among those who particularly benefit from beyondblue’s messages that depression and anxiety are very common and that support is readily available.
"Indeed, people are often amazed at how much better they feel after they take the first steps towards recovery and I have no doubt that this round will inspire people to start tackling these challenges."
AFLNT CEO Tony Frawley is a passionate supporter of the AFLNT and beyondblue partnership which is entering its fourth year.
"Over 3 million Australians are living with depression or anxiety and we know that physical activity can play a key role in assisting those in tackling depression"
"This weekend is not just about yourself but it is about recognizing the signs and symptoms of those around you. We urge our participants, members and supporters to make time not only this weekend but every other weekend to contact family members, friends and even your neighbor and simply ask ‘are you ok?’ and actively be on the look out for the key signs of depression and anxiety as the consequences can detrimental to families, friends and entire communities in some cases."