A mental health and wellbeing program that began in Broken Hill's AFL community is on schedule to expand its reach to other states and sporting codes over the coming months.
How's Ya Mate? success in promoting mental health awareness has already been recognised at a state level, winning an award during Mental Health Month last year.
The program's main focus over the last few years has been dissipating the stigma around talking about mental health, particularly in young men.
In the last four years, at least two men affiliated with AFL Broken Hill have taken their own life.
But Lifeline has noted an increase in young people reaching out to them since the program began.
Thousands donated over 2023 AFL round
Lifeline Broken Hill Country to Coast project officer Jacinta Cullen said she was thrilled to see yet another successful How's Ya Mate? round held in the local AFL competition over the weekend.
"It was really nice this year because we had something for the littlies too, they had the jumping castle and the face paint," Mrs Cullen said.
"The merch all sold really well … it [was] wonderful to see everyone get behind that and all decked out in their gear."
Lifeline Broken Hill Country to Coast chief executive Scott Hammond said the organisation raised over $3,500 on Saturday through merchandise sales alone.
Having originally launched How's Ya Mate? in 2016 to help ALF coaches speak with young players about mental health, he said he was amazed to see so many people get behind it.
"It's gone from really being focused on supporting the clubs to supporting players, and that link between roles and responsibilities we have in a club and in community," Mr Hammond said.
Lifeline also brings in ambassadors, usually high-profile AFL and AFLW stars, to visit the region and speak about their lived experiences with mental health and resilience.
"This year, we've been really fortunate to get an injection of funds to enable us to expand the round to include the Menindee school as well, and we were able to get to the high schools here in Broken Hill," Mr Hammond said.
This year's ambassadors were former AFLW player for Carlton and Freemantle Kirby Bentley, and Tadhg Kennelley, who travelled from Ireland as a teenager to play for the Sydney Swans over 20 years ago.
Mr Kennelley is now the academy coach for the GWS Giants — which has recruited several talented young locals — and said he loved the opportunity to watch a round of country football while promoting mental health awareness.
"Clearly football has a linkage with communities, it draws people, it touches people … it's what country football is about," he said.
Expanding the program's horizons
A recent injection of almost $300,000 in state government funding is helping the program reach new horizons this year.
"We're already talking with a couple of clubs in Victoria and South Australia, and we definitely are going to take this out to the other codes in Broken Hill," Mr Hammond said.
"Swimming, netball, soccer, basketball … anybody really that's interested, we could definitely take this to their club."
The How's Ya Mate? AFL round program will head to Mildura in June with help from the town's local Lifeline branch.
"This is now an exciting phase for Lifeline and Hows Ya Mate? as we continue to expand it," he said.
