Your brain is complex and powerful. At New Lambton FC, we know mental health is just as important as physical health. Both on and off the field. When you kick a ball, run down the line, or sneak past a defender, you can thank your brain. Behind the scenes, your brain is also calling the shots when it comes to how you think and feel.
When you are playing sport, your focus tends to be on physical health. But mental health is just as important.
What exactly is mental health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life. From childhood and teenage years through to adulthood.
The World Health Organisation says mental health is:
“A state of wellbeing in which a person realises their potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community.”
What’s the difference between mental health and mental illness?
Even though it’s an expression we use every day, it might surprise you that the term mental health is often misunderstood. Mental health is a term that is often incorrectly used as a substitute for mental health conditions. This includes depression, anxiety conditions, schizophrenia, eating disorders and others.
A mental health concern becomes a mental condition or illness when ongoing signs and symptoms cause frequent stress and affect your ability to function. Mental health conditions are diagnosed illnesses that need professional medical treatment.
Mental health is complex
It’s important to remember that mental health is complex. The fact that someone is not experiencing a mental health condition doesn’t necessarily mean their mental health is flourishing.
Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:
- biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
- life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
- job loss (unemployment)
- family history of mental health problems.
Many of these contributing factors a person has absolutely no control over. Learning about mental health and making it common to talk about it within our club can really help to remove the stigma. This means that people who are struggling may feel more able to ask for help.
The effect of alcohol and other drugs
In many cases, alcohol and drug use can directly affect your mental health symptoms. And your mental health symptoms can directly affect your alcohol and drug use. For example, if you have symptoms of depression and anxiety you might use alcohol to help cope with those feelings.
Over time, drinking alcohol can make those symptoms worse, and you might also develop a dependence on alcohol.
Why we need to include mental health in what we do
One in five Australians experiences mental ill-health every year. It’s more important than ever to make sure your players, members and parents feel safe, connected and supported. Covering mental health in what we do makes it easier for our club to support our members and guests.
Get smart
Coaches, senior club members and leaders will be better equipped to understand the mental health environment in our club and respond accordingly. We’ll know how to have conversations around mental health and be able to point people in the direction of professional help, if they need it.
Make a difference
Our players, members and their families will feel more supported by our club and may be more likely to seek help if they know it’s readily available.
More respect for our club
Clubs with a mental health policy are stronger, more respected and more connected in their local communities, making them more attractive and welcoming.
Better results
Clubs that support player resilience by having a strong understanding of mental health may see stronger turnout at practice and on game day, as well as better player performance.
Alcohol, drugs and mental illness
When considering mental health, it’s important we keep in mind the relationship it often shares with alcohol and other drug use. This is not to say that every person with a mental health condition has an alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issue. Or, that every person using AOD has issues with their mental health.
However, a person taking drugs or alcohol might develop mental health problems, and a person with mental health problems might turn to alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism.
What we do know is:
- At least 55 per cent of people experiencing an alcohol or drug use disorder also have a mental health condition.
- 60 per cent of people with a mental health disorder are also experiencing alcohol or drug dependence.
- A person’s alcohol or other drug dependence can impact their personal and work life and can also turn up at their sporting club.
The end of a relationship or the loss of a job can result in anxiety and depression on top of an existing dependence on alcohol or other drugs. A person’s physical health can also be affected. For example, alcohol can disrupt sleep, which can increase other symptoms. Nutrition and exercise could also be affected, leading to poorer health.
People with a mental health or substance use disorder are more likely to be a victim of violence, particularly if their mental health condition is severe. They are also more likely to experience homelessness and discrimination.
You can see how the effects can easily pile up.
Who is at risk?
Many people have an increased risk because of genetic, environmental, social or biological factors that are beyond their control. They may have experienced a severe difficulty or trauma in their life or be facing long-term personal, social or economic problems. There is no single thing that will guarantee a person does or does not experience an alcohol or other drug dependence as well as a mental health condition. Instead, it’s the result of a blend of highly personal and complex factors and experiences.
Building resilience and understanding
Life is complicated. Prevention is preferable but not always possible. Better management is about helping build the foundations for mental wellbeing and resilience.
New Lambton FC don’t turn their backs on people facing mental health or AOD issues – we are about creating a safe and supportive club environment for everyone. It’s about role modelling the kind of behaviour and attitudes we value.
By making our club communities better informed, we can minimise the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs and help our loved ones continue their journey to recovery.
Mental health support services
Mental health problems like anxiety and depression can affect anyone. If you are feeling unwell or are worried about a teammate, seek help.
Mental health support is available
Looking for information or support services on mental health, but not sure where to begin? Talk to a real person. Get informed answers to your questions and advice on practical next steps.
Help in a crisis
- Emergency services: Phone 000
- Lifeline 24-hour crisis support: 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service – for anyone affected by or thinking about suicide: 1300 659 467
Support and information
- Kids Helpline – 24-hour support for people aged 5 to 25 years: 1800 55 1800
- MensLine – 24-hour support for men: 1300 78 99 78
- BeyondBlue – 24-hour support and next steps: 1300 22 4636
- National alcohol and other drug hotline : 1800 250 015