headspace and Hawthorn Share Mental Health Message

Hawthorn Football Club players joined headspace staff in Katherine last week to hold football clinics and share information about mental health. The activities were part of a new partnership between Hawthorn Football Club and headspace Katherine, which aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and increase the number of young people who seek support for their mental health.

As part of two days of activities, local Aboriginal elders and staff from headspace Katherine and Darwin met with Hawthorn players to discuss the needs of young people in the region and how the new partnership could provide assistance and raise awareness about mental health and wellbeing. More than 60 people from the Katherine community took part in football clinics on Saturday, with headspace Katherine staff on hand providing information about mental health. Football drills were also held with young people at Katherine High School and information was shared about mental health and headspace services.

Developments for a new headspace centre are currently underway in Katherine. The centre will provide early intervention mental health services to young people aged 12-25 years and act as a one-stop-shop for young people who need help with mental health, physical health, alcohol and other drugs or work and study support.

“Extensive consultations have taken place with young people and stakeholders in the local community to help shape the Katherine service,” said Jade Gooding, Executive Manager Mental Health at Anglicare NT.

“It was really fantastic to see Hawthorn supporting the local community here in Katherine. We’re looking forward to developing our partnership and continuing to prioritise youth mental health in the region,” said Jade.

Hawthorn CEO Justin Reeves said the headspace partnership is a great opportunity for the club to reinforce its commitment to encouraging positive mental health amongst Australians.

“headspace is a fantastic organisation that provides young adults with crucial resources to assist them in a transitional phase of their lives. A large number of our male and female players fall into this age-bracket, and through our partnership have the opportunity to become powerful role models for the broader community,” said Reeves.

View a short video of the second day of the Katherine visit here.

Hawthorn Football Club players join headspace staff in Katherine.