Round 9 of the TIO NTFL Season is the “blueRound” with NTFL Clubs promoting awareness of depression and anxiety by wearing blue arm bands during the matches on the weekend.
AFLNT, in conjunction with beyondblue, is implementing the blueRound concept in the NTFL this year to raise vital awareness of depression and anxiety specifically amongst young people and volunteers will be on the gates of TIO Stadium distributing beyondblue promotional material to the public regarding depression, anxiety and related disorders.
In the lead up to the blueRound, beyondblue has funded school visits by Indigenous Hip Hop Projects (http://www.indigenoushiphop.com/) who have conducted dance workshops at four schools around Darwin and will be at TIO Stadium on Saturday to work with budding young dancers with exclusive workshops and performances.
Acting CEO of beyondblue, Clare Shann says beyondblue is excited to be working with AFLNT for the third year.
“Partnering with AFLNT provides a wonderful opportunity to promote positive mental health messages to everyone involved in football in the Territory – and to people living in rural and remote communities,” she says.
“Depression and anxiety are common illnesses that can affect anyone at any time. They should never be considered weaknesses. We want people to know that help is available and with the right treatment, most people recover,” she said.
AFLNT’s long standing partnership with beyondblue has seen a number of initiatives rolled out across the NT.
“beyondblue has been an active community partner of AFLNT for three years now and has assisted with rolling out depression and anxiety awareness activities particularly in remote communities via our Healthy Lifestyle Carnivals,” said AFLNT CEO Tony Frawley.
“The partnership with beyondblue has been positively received and the beyondblue messages are now a key part of our remote project delivery.”
“We must also remember that there is more to life than just football, and that our NTFL clubs play a key role in the lives of the young men and women who are involved in the NTFL.
“The support and structure the clubs provide in the lives of many are invaluable, and this is why the beyondblue messages of ‘Look, Listen, Talk and Seek Help’ are crucial for our NTFL Clubs, players, officials and volunteers to take note of as you never know when you are going to placed in a situation to use them,” said Frawley.
beyondblue is a non-profit organisation that aims to build a society that understands and responds to the personal and social impact of depression and anxiety, works actively to prevent it, and improves the quality of life for everyone affected.
For more information on the partnership between beyondblue and AFLNT please visit www.aflnt.com.au or to find out more about depression, anxiety and related disorders, visit www.beyondblue.org.au or call the beyondblue information line on 1300 22 4636.