WAFC awarded for Suicide Prevention

The West Australian Football Commission was recognised at the Mental Health Good Outcomes Awards, presented by the Mental Health Commission on Tuesday, October 7, for the delivery of Mental Health programs in partnership with the One Life Suicide Prevention Program.

The awards celebrate individuals, groups, programs, services and partnerships across the government, private and community sectors that have made an outstanding contribution to mental health in Western Australia.

The WAFC received the Edith Cowan University Award for prevention, promotion and/or early intervention service or program for the programs delivered under the One Life Suicide Prevention message.

The WAFC’s One Life Suicide Prevention Program, conducted in partnership with One Life WA, trains and educates coaches, volunteers and football players throughout the community as Live Life Ambassadors.

The past two years saw 98 ambassadors trained as part of the inaugural partnership program. A further 100 are being trained during 2014 and 2015.

Over the past two years, the WAFC’s partnership with One Life has also included:

• A Youth Leadership Program that educated young football leaders to become advocates of good mental health and suicide prevention.
• Equipping over 1000 coaches with the knowledge to recommend help for players if required.
• Raised awareness and reduced the stigma surrounding suicide through the promotion of suicide education and prevention to over 100,000 people from the football fraternity at a range of high-profile and community based events including AFL and WAFL matches.
• A suicide education and prevention presentation to WAFC staff and associated groups including Executives and Commissioners.

For more information on the One Life program and suicide prevention visit: www.onelifewa.com.au

Need help?

Lifeline 13 11 14

Beyondblue 1300 22 4636

Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467