New data reveals local footy clubs are tackling mental health crisis

Barbara Jordan

Zurich Financial Services Australia (Zurich) has marked the launch of the 2023 Tackle Your Feelings season, together with an independent evaluation by Monash University demonstrating the positive impact and success of the mental wellbeing program.

Founded in 2018 by Zurich Insurance, the Z Zurich Foundation, the AFL Coaches Association and the AFL Players’ Association, Tackle Your Feelings is a free mental health education and awareness training program delivered by accredited psychologists and offered to the coaches, members and staff of local AFL community clubs.

Since its inception, the program has impacted the lives of thousands of Australians through its delivery across 850 community clubs, with more than 145,000 players benefiting from their leaders completing the program.

A recent independent academic evaluation of the program by Monash University found, amongst other things, that participants:

• improved their knowledge of mental health and wellbeing issues by 30 per cent
• decreased the level of social stigma associated with mental health issues by two-thirds, and 
• enhanced their knowledge of the resources available to support mental health by more than 20 per cent.

Linda Griffin, Head of Brand, Marketing & Corporate Affairs, Zurich Australia & New Zealand and Tackle Your Feelings Steering Committee Chair said: “Zurich is incredibly proud to have supported Tackle Your Feelings since its inception. There has never been a more important time to prioritise mental health education and support initiatives that improve awareness in the community.”

“The results of this report demonstrate that Tackle Your Feelings is a proven success and, more importantly, provide an encouraging signal of the difference the program will continue to make into the future,” Ms Griffin said.

Barbara Jordan, Z Zurich Foundation Regional Engagement Manager for Asia Pacific said: “At the Z Zurich Foundation, we have a commitment to improving mental wellbeing in communities around the world. Tackle Your Feelings is one of our flagship programs, and we welcome the

new data which confirms its positive impact in community sports clubs in Australia, and communities more broadly. Tackle Your Feelings is an excellent example of many parties collaborating successfully for one common cause.”

Nathan Buckley, former AFL coach and player and Tackle Your Feelings Ambassador said: “It’s an awesome program. It’s so succinct and gives you really practical strategies. It’s a great conversation starter.”

Adam Baldwin, Tackle Your Feelings Program Manager said: “Community football clubs are beginning to understand the responsibility they have to their members to create an environment that prioritises mental health and promotes conversations so that someone who is struggling feels comfortable to ask for help.”

The Tackle Your Feelings research paper was published in the Journal of Mental Health and Prevention and can be accessed here.