Mental health audit shows athletes seek help

ACCORDINGtonew research from Orygen, a mental health research institute, Australian high-performance athletes are prioritising their mental health.

The AIS Mental Health Audit, runbymental health research institute Orygen, showed 50 per cent of the 305 athletes who took part in the survey sought treatment in 2022, compared to just 39 per cent of participants in 2018.

The biennial survey also showedpositive improvement in the mental health and wellbeing of high-performance support staff and coaches, with 61 per cent of those who responded sharing that their sport setting is asafeplace to disclose mental health problems.

AIS acting director, Matti Clements, said while it’sgreat to see improvements in the stigma of mental health across the sector, more support is needed in the prevention space.

“The Australian high-performance sport system is united in the vision to win well, which means balancing ambitiousperformance goalswith safe, fair and supportive cultures and ensuring that our athletes, coaches, and support staff win in all areas of life,” he said.

“The AIS Mental Health Referral Network is a key part of creating that environment of sustainable success.

“It hasprovidedfree,confidential advice and world-classservicestomore than 1,300 people since launching in 2018.

“There is still work to be done. The AIS Mental Health Audit showed more than aquarter of the athletesexperienced anxiety or depression in 2022, and our priorityistoensure everyonein the high-performance sport system receives help when they need it.”

As part of the commitment to improving mental healthand wellbeing, the AIS has once again partnered with the Black Dog Institute to run the Mental Fitness Program, an initiative aimed at reducing rates of mental illness among young Australians.

Over the next six months, 22 high-performance athletes, includingOlympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Gamesathletes,willbecome AIS Mental Fitness Ambassadors, sharing their personal stories and mentalhealth strategies with thousands of high school students across the country.

Among the ambassadors is Australian bowls player and two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Ellen Ryan, who said seeking help with her mental health changed thecourse of her career.

“In 2018, Ijust missed out on the team for the Commonwealth Games. The current team had been really successful internationally, and Ijust hadn’t been able to break in yet,” she said.

“For me, Ihad worked so hard and sacrificed a lot. It made me not want to play anymore, and I lost my confidence.

“With the supportfrommyAthleteWellbeing and Engagement Manager, the AIS Mental Health Referral Network and the support from my close friends and family, Iwas able to overcome the challenges Ifaced.”

FellowAIS MentalFitness Ambassadorand Olympic rower Giorgia Patten said, “Members of the community and particularly young people look up to Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and we areoften perceived to be bulletproof.”

“I believe it’s important for us athletes to show vulnerability and allowpeople to see that even some of their biggest sporting heroes have tough times.

“I’m determined to help educate as many young people as possible to build their mental resilience to life’s challenges.”

Justlike Iloveannie, Peppino looked comfortable at the back of the pack, tracked in eighth position on average throughout the race.

Following the bend, it almost looked impossible for Peppinotowin,ifitwasn’t for the quickthinking of the jockey, Teo Nugent, who darted to the inside This allowed Peppino to hit the front and run away with it by over three lengths, claiming backto-back wins.

Peppino appears to love racing at Stony Creek, winning athird of his races there.

Walkley’s other entry, LuvA Duck, couldn’t quite getnearthe front,shifting throughout the midfield to finish seventh.

CheekyPrincefor Sale’sReg Manning was miles off the pace, finishing 11th -15lengths behind. The Stony Creek Racing Club is next in action on Sunday, March 12, for the Ladbrokes Stony Creek Cup, expecting to be an eight-race meet.

Thenextlocal event is Wednesday Racing at the Sale Turf Club on February 22.