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Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
AFL urged to go beyond mental health round with player voices to tackle stigma
From sharing more first-person stories to using destigmatising language in community football, the AFL can do more to improve mental health outcomes according to experts, whether or not the league pursues a themed round explicitly dedicated to the cause. The footy community has been beset by grief this week following the death of West Coast premiership player Adam Selwood at age 41, three months after his twin brother Troy – a former Brisbane player – died by suicide. Former Kangaroos and Swans player Wayne Schwass, Cats great Jimmy Bartel and Swans' premiership-winning coach Paul Roos have been leading voices in the call for the establishment of a mental health round, but others including former Hawthorn president and Beyond Blue founder Jeff Kennett are opposed to the idea. Related: A week of grief is a reminder to reflect on the magnificent triviality of sport | Jonathan Horn As many as 43% of people aged 16–85 experience a mental disorder at some time in their life according to the ABS, and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has found suicide is the leading cause of death for people aged 15-44. The AFL developed its first mental health strategy in 2020 and updated it last year, outlining a vision that employees of the AFL and its clubs are 'supported to thrive in football, work and life'. The league partners with six mental health organisations including the Black Dog Institute, which worked with St Kilda on 'Spud's Game'. That initiative raises money for mental health programs and builds a legacy from the life of former Saints captain and Tigers coach Danny Frawley, who died in 2019 after ongoing mental health challenges. Black Dog Institute chief scientist and executive director, Sam Harvey said the time for awareness 'has passed, what we need now is coordinated, sustained action'. 'There is more to do, particularly in supporting the broader community, including ex-players, and to promote crucial mental health research so that we can better understand why mental ill health continues to rise in Australia,' Harvey said. The AFL Players Association (AFLPA) offers counselling to current and former players and their partners and wrote to members this week to reiterate the wellbeing services available. In 2024, 429 former players or their partners took up the offer, a 24% rise on the previous year. There are also dedicated programs and entities operating within the broader AFL sector. Tackle Your Feelings was formed by the AFL Coaches Association and the AFLPA in 2018, and provides a free mental health training program for players, community AFL coaches, and club support staff. Fifth Quarter is an independent not-for-profit supporting AFL and AFLW past players, their families and the community to achieve positive mental health and wellbeing. The AFL reported a record 528,000 registered Australian football participants in 2024. Dr Judith Griffiths, director of the Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi), said there were opportunities for the AFL to effect wider change by using its influence in community footy. 'This could include embedding programs, training, and language that destigmatised mental health, partnering with community groups to create culturally safe content, using storytelling, visible champions, and inclusive messaging to shift community norms, using peer champions from underrepresented groups to train as mental health ambassadors and avoiding assumptions about gender and sexuality,' Griffiths said. Examples of destigmatising language provided by AAPi include mental health is 'something we all need to think about', that it 'exists on a spectrum', 'it's ok if you're feeling anxious today' and 'sometimes we might be thriving, sometimes we might be feeling challenged'. Beyond Blue chief executive Georgie Harman said both the AFL playing group and broader Australian community face similar challenges and would benefit from similar approaches. 'That is, initiatives that are designed and set out to reach people early, before they reach crisis point,' Harman said. 'Our analysis shows that, like the broader mental health system, the football world offers a wide range of programs of services, but it can be confusing to know which one to access and when, what programs work best, and how all they all fit together.' Related: Former West Coast player Adam Selwood dies months after twin brother's death SANE chief executive Rachael Green said research was 'very clear' that one of the best ways to address stigma is through relatable, first-person stories. 'Having high-profile sports people talk about their mental health challenges can not only help people experiencing mental ill health see they are not alone, it can also reverse harmful misconceptions about mental illness amongst the general public,' she said. Green called on the the AFL to consult widely before embarking on any activity 'to ensure the benefits outweigh the risks'. 'We also encourage [the] AFL to look beyond just a few elite level games,' Green said. 'Any meaningful campaign needs to be distilled down to community level to have the impact it needs to have.' • In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and at MensLine on 1300 789 978. Support for people who are grieving is available from Griefline on 1300 845 745. In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393 and Childline on 0800 1111. In the US, call or text Mental Health America at 988 or chat Other international helplines can be found at
Refinery29
24-05-2025
- General
- Refinery29
How To Show Up As An Ally For First Nations People, Today & Every Day
Practising true allyship to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is an ongoing process. Undoubtedly, it requires a lot of listening and learning, but there's also a lot more we can do to show up in a genuine way for First Nations Peoples. 'The most important thing people can do is to step up and support us and be an ally in the tough times, not just the good, happy days,' explains Dr Clinton Schultz, Gamilaroi/Gomeroi man, registered psychologist, and Director of First Nations Partnership and Strategy at the Black Dog Institute. 'It's all good for people to want to turn up during NAIDOC Week or at Reconciliation Day events, [but] true allies want to be there and walk this hard walk with us, every day.' One of the first steps we can take to become better allies to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is to educate ourselves — but that's certainly not where it ends. 'It absolutely requires people to take a step back and reflect on the everyday power and privilege, the opportunities and resources that are readily available to them, because they happen to be a non-Indigenous person living in this country,' explains Shultz. 'Then, consider: ' What am I willing to do with those in the effort to walk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in a more positive direction? ' That's the work that needs to be done by non-Indigenous people that we can not do as First Nations peoples." As Shultz tells Refinery29 Australia, true allies will ask themselves 'what they are actually willing to relinquish in that space in order to walk with us'. Educate Yourself Without Adding To The Cultural Load Of First Nations Peoples While it's essential to listen to and platform the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as part of your allyship, it's crucial to do this without adding to the cultural load of the people in your orbit, whether that's a public figure you follow on Instagram, a colleague, or a friend. 'Cultural load is that extra work that gets put upon us as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within workspaces that sit outside of our job descriptions or our everyday work,' says Shultz. Essentially, it's when people are being expected to speak for 'everything and anything Aboriginal, for instance'. Shultz emphasises that asking your First Nations colleague (or friend, or social media creator) to explain the concept of, say, a referendum to you when the same information is available to you online, is adding to their cultural load. 'So, I think, what people need to do is take the time to actually do their own background research first — that's part of the learning journey — and then come and have an informed discussion with us, rather than expect us to do the work and to just give you the answers.' Below is a non-exhaustive list of resources and organisations to visit to start, or continue, your learning journey in a culturally sensitive way: — Pay The Rent — Common Ground — Seed Mob — AIATSIS — Reconciliation Australia — NITV — NAIDOC — ANTAR — Indigenous-X — National Indigenous Radio Service Being a better ally means understanding and learning more about the traditional custodians of the land. You can do this by reaching out to your local councils, or utilising resources like the Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) or Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) to find out the history of your local area and the land your town was built on. The AECG also has local representatives in each area that you can connect with, listen to and learn from. Another organisation to learn from is Australians Together, a not-for-profit that aims to help non-Indigenous people learn the true story of our shared history and understand how it's still having an impact today. Listen To First Nations Podcasts An important part of being a better ally is listening, whether it's via podcasts, local radio or in person. Listening to the stories of the traditional custodians of the land allows their voices and perspectives on issues that impact them to be heard. Below is a list of important listens that will help educate you on how to be a better ally and to understand First Nations culture better. AWAYE! The AWAYE! podcast presents a diverse and vibrant range of Aboriginal arts and culture from across Australia. You can listen to it via ABC Listen app, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Speaking Out Speaking Out is a politics, arts and culture radio segment from a range of Indigenous perspectives. Speaking Out broadcasts on Radio National on Fridays at 12pm and on ABC Local Radio on Sundays at 9pm. Unravel: Blood On the Tracks Unravel: Blood On the Tracks is a 2018 true crime podcast from journalist Allan Clarke that delves into the unsolved murder of Gomeroi teenager, Mark Haines. It tells the story of a divided town, an investigation bungled, evidence lost and explores why critical leads were never followed up by police in the death of this Indigenous teen. Beyond The Gap First Nations Foundation (FNF) launched the 2021 podcast series, Beyond the Gap, to explore best practice reconciliation and Indigenous engagement for corporate Australia and beyond. The conversations investigate the influences and constructs that should be considered for Reconciliation Action Plans, and what is the best path forward to engage and empower our country's First Nations peoples. The host, Phil Usher, is a proud Wiradjuri man who grew up in the rich culture of the Gamilaroi people. He chats with a variety of guests to dig deep into our country's history to better our future. Frontier War Stories Frontier War Stories is a podcast dedicated to truth-telling about a side of Australia that has been left out of the history books. Hosted by Boe Spearim, Brisbane-based Gamilaraay & Kooma radio host, each episode features interviews with different Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Through these stories, we uncover research, books and oral histories that document the first 140 years of conflict and resistance. While the list below contains a wide variety of educational anti-racism books (including some on racism in America), it's also important to read the stories of our own people to understand our history and how it still affects our society today. We recommend adding these to your reading list. - Welcome To Country, Marcia Langton - Growing Up Aboriginal In Australia, Anita Heiss - Dark Emu, Bruce Pascoe - City of Gold, Meyne Wyatt - Kill the Messenger, Nakkiah Lui - Tell Me Again by Dr Amy Thunig - Dropbear by Evelyn Araluen - Come Together by Isaiah Firebrace, Jaelyn Biumaiwai (picture book) - Citizen, Claudia Rankine - Biased, Jennifer L. Eberhardt - When They Call You a Terrorist, Patrisse Khan-Cullors - On the Other Side of Freedom, DeRay Mckesson - Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates - Monument: Poems New and Selected, Natasha Trethewey - The Tall Man, Chloe Hooper - Talking To My Country, Stan Grant - Terra Nullius, Claire G. Coleman - The White Girl, Tony Birch Watch Informative Videos Here are some informative videos that will help non-Indigenous people to better understand the history of oppression, racism and suffering experienced by our First Nations Peoples. It's important that we hear these stories directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people to help us understand how we can be better allies and fight against racism. One part of recognising our privilege as non-Indigenous people living in Australia is recognising that sometimes, conversations about racism and discrimination are received with more open-mindedness than for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. 'I think there are some tough conversations that, unfortunately, and as hard as it is for me to recognise and acknowledge this: there are some hard conversations in this country that need to be had that, unfortunately, I think are better taken when they come from non-Indigenous people,' says Schultz. 'I know from experience that discussions on racism and discrimination are taken better and listened to more by other non-Indigenous people, when they come from a non Indigenous person, than when they come from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person or somebody else from a culturally diverse background. 'So I think some of those difficult conversations need to be taken up and really moved forward by non-Indigenous peoples, which will then give us the space that we need to add what needs to be needed from an Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander standpoint.' It's important to have these conversations with nuance and without removing important messages from cultural context. Ensuring that you are elevating the voices and words of First Nations people without alterations and without centring yourself is key here, as is seeking consent from First Nations people before inserting yourself into cultural events, and knowing when to step back, so you aren't taking up space that belongs to First Nations people.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Walters calls out ugly truth about Reece Walsh after Broncos finalise investigation
Former Broncos coach Kevin Walters has urged Reece Walsh to be "sensitive" to the modern environment and think before posting on social media, after he landed in hot water over vision of him punching a friend. The Broncos finalised an 'investigation' into the video on Thursday, which showed Walsh punching a friend in the head at a social gathering while wearing a boxing glove. The Broncos were left fuming that Walsh had chosen to post the video on social media, before he later deleted it. The 22-year-old has been sidelined for a month with a knee injury, which has coincided with his club's form slump of five losses in six games. Walsh met with Broncos management on Wednesday to explain himself, and was ordered to apologise and make a donation to mental health charity the Black Dog Institute. "We don't support violence and stuff like that," Walsh said. "But obviously it's not a good look for myself and that was all, trying to have a laugh and a good time with friends." WATCH: Broncos to investigate footage of Reece Walsh punching a mate with a boxing glove at a posted — then deleted — the clip himself. He says it was 'just a joke' with his best bosses aren't laughing — NRLCentral (@nrlcentrall) May 20, 2025 Discussing the issue on Triple M radio on Thursday, Walsh's former coach Walters said the 22-year-old needed to be aware that anything posted on social media has the potential to cause backlash. "Just be more sensitive to the environment you're in," said Walters, who was sacked by the Broncos at the end of last year. "There's cameras everywhere these days. Put your camera away Reece, particularly with the situation the Broncos are in at the moment (not winning). Everywhere they turn there's trouble." Walsh has a staggering amount of followers on social media, and has become one of the most marketable players in NRL history. Last weekend he launched his own YouTube channel just hours before the Broncos' loss to the Dragons at home. But former South Sydney coach and Broncos assistant Jason Demetriou said none of it would exist if it wasn't for rugby league and everything it's given Walsh. "There's be no TikTok account, no YouTube channel, no half a million followers without the Brisbane Broncos and without rugby league," Demetriou said. "Have a little bit of understanding of what comes with that. I'm a huge admirer of Reece Walsh - not only as a young man and a young father - but read the room mate. You're in the position you're in because of what the game has given you, and be a bit more careful when you're posting things. And I'm sure he will be." RELATED: Fresh calls for NRL action after Bulldogs robbed by 'deadset farce' New blow for Tigers as 'popular' figure set to follow Lachie Galvin out Walsh endured a frustrating start to the season form-wise, and then copped the injury setback in Round 7. He's expected to be back in Round 13 after the Broncos' bye this weekend. The 22-year-old will be hoping he can spark some life into the struggling Broncos, while also pushing his case for State of Origin selection. Billy Slater was forced to go with Kalyn Ponga at fullback in the Maroons' team for Origin 1, despite some poor form of his own for the Newcastle Knights.
The Advertiser
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Bronco Walsh says sorry as TikTok punchline falls flat
Reece Walsh has apologised to Brisbane for what the Broncos called a "lack of judgment" in being filmed punching a friend in the head for a TikTok video. The injured fullback met with Broncos management on Wednesday to explain himself over the viral clip he posted but has since deleted. As part of his apology, 22-year-old Walsh has offered to make a donation to mental health charity the Black Dog Institute. "The club has addressed the video involving Reece Walsh, which was posted on social media," the Broncos said in a statement on Wednesday evening. "Walsh today met with the club management about the matter and apologised for his lack of judgment." Walsh explained on television program Today that the video, in which he boxed his friend so hard he fell from a couch, had been intended as a joke. "We don't support violence and stuff like that," Walsh said. "But obviously it's not a good look for myself and that was all, trying to have a laugh and a good time with friends." It came after he addressed the clip on social media late Tuesday night. "Just to add context to the video recently posted - it was a joke with me (sic) best mate no one was harmed, boys being boys," he wrote on his Instagram Story. Walsh has endured a disappointing season by his standards and is currently sidelined with a knee injury, which dashed his hopes of playing for Queensland in the State of Origin series opener. He is expected to return to face Manly after the Broncos' bye this weekend. Walsh was last year investigated by the NRL integrity unit over an incident in Bali that left a fan with a damaged phone. He also made headlines for a video in which he appeared to threaten another fan's mother during an event for the 2023 grand final. While playing for the Warriors in 2021, Walsh was arrested on the Gold Coast during a night out and later pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine. Reece Walsh has apologised to Brisbane for what the Broncos called a "lack of judgment" in being filmed punching a friend in the head for a TikTok video. The injured fullback met with Broncos management on Wednesday to explain himself over the viral clip he posted but has since deleted. As part of his apology, 22-year-old Walsh has offered to make a donation to mental health charity the Black Dog Institute. "The club has addressed the video involving Reece Walsh, which was posted on social media," the Broncos said in a statement on Wednesday evening. "Walsh today met with the club management about the matter and apologised for his lack of judgment." Walsh explained on television program Today that the video, in which he boxed his friend so hard he fell from a couch, had been intended as a joke. "We don't support violence and stuff like that," Walsh said. "But obviously it's not a good look for myself and that was all, trying to have a laugh and a good time with friends." It came after he addressed the clip on social media late Tuesday night. "Just to add context to the video recently posted - it was a joke with me (sic) best mate no one was harmed, boys being boys," he wrote on his Instagram Story. Walsh has endured a disappointing season by his standards and is currently sidelined with a knee injury, which dashed his hopes of playing for Queensland in the State of Origin series opener. He is expected to return to face Manly after the Broncos' bye this weekend. Walsh was last year investigated by the NRL integrity unit over an incident in Bali that left a fan with a damaged phone. He also made headlines for a video in which he appeared to threaten another fan's mother during an event for the 2023 grand final. While playing for the Warriors in 2021, Walsh was arrested on the Gold Coast during a night out and later pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine. Reece Walsh has apologised to Brisbane for what the Broncos called a "lack of judgment" in being filmed punching a friend in the head for a TikTok video. The injured fullback met with Broncos management on Wednesday to explain himself over the viral clip he posted but has since deleted. As part of his apology, 22-year-old Walsh has offered to make a donation to mental health charity the Black Dog Institute. "The club has addressed the video involving Reece Walsh, which was posted on social media," the Broncos said in a statement on Wednesday evening. "Walsh today met with the club management about the matter and apologised for his lack of judgment." Walsh explained on television program Today that the video, in which he boxed his friend so hard he fell from a couch, had been intended as a joke. "We don't support violence and stuff like that," Walsh said. "But obviously it's not a good look for myself and that was all, trying to have a laugh and a good time with friends." It came after he addressed the clip on social media late Tuesday night. "Just to add context to the video recently posted - it was a joke with me (sic) best mate no one was harmed, boys being boys," he wrote on his Instagram Story. Walsh has endured a disappointing season by his standards and is currently sidelined with a knee injury, which dashed his hopes of playing for Queensland in the State of Origin series opener. He is expected to return to face Manly after the Broncos' bye this weekend. Walsh was last year investigated by the NRL integrity unit over an incident in Bali that left a fan with a damaged phone. He also made headlines for a video in which he appeared to threaten another fan's mother during an event for the 2023 grand final. While playing for the Warriors in 2021, Walsh was arrested on the Gold Coast during a night out and later pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
NRL star Reece Walsh learns his fate after he posted video of himself doing 'stupid and dangerous' act on TikTok, leaving his club fuming
The Brisbane Broncos have officially broken their silence after star footy player Reece Walsh posted a video on his TikTok account, appearing to punch another individual, believed to be a close friend, while wearing a boxing glove. The video was posted on his social media accounts on Tuesday, with the club said to be 'privately furious' over the matter. It is understood that the star fullback, 22, had meant the video as a joke but has since admitted that he should have 'chosen his actions a lot better', adding that he and the Broncos did not condone violence. The footy club have since concluded their investigation into the matter. They say that Walsh is due to make a donation to the Black Dog Institute, a not-for-profit mental health research organisation. Walsh is due to face no further disciplinary action from the club. The man, who is believed to be one of Walsh's best friends fell backwards clutching his head 'Walsh today met with the club management about the matter and apologised for his lack of judgement. 'He has also offered to make a donation to the Black Dog Institute. 'The Black Dog Institute has partnered with the Brisbane Broncos for a Mental Health awareness campaign, which will see the NRL squad play in a Black Jersey on June 7 in a dedicated Mental Health Round, to shine a light on an important issue in our community.' The footy star also issued a comment on the video, explaining what had happened before admitting that he had taken things too far. 'I feel like I could choose them (actions) a lot better I guess,' he said. 'I feel like just having a laugh with my mate and putting it on social media, stuff like that, it's really important to try and keep those things away (from social media). We don't support violence. '(I was) just having a laugh with my mate, obviously. You know we don't support violence and stuff like that, but obviously, it's not a good look for myself and that was all me trying to have a laugh and a good time with friends. 'There's a really cool jersey coming out that we should be talking about and not letting this overshadow it.' The friend Walsh was filmed punching also backed up his version of events In the clip, the man appears to lean on a sofa, which is situated on the edge of a terrace. Walsh, wearing the boxing glove, winds up a punch and catches the other man in the side of the head with some force. The man falls to the ground and appears dazed, while holding his head in his hands. Another camera angle showed several other individuals filming the moment, which is understood to have taken place in recent days. Walsh has now deleted the clip with some individuals screen grabbing the moment before it was taken down. The Daily Telegraph reported on Tuesday that the Broncos are 'privately furious that Walsh acted so stupidly to not only punch the man but then post the video on social media.' Walsh had also taken to social media to address the video yesterday evening. 'Just to add context to the video recently posted - it was a joke with me (sic) best mate,' he wrote. 'No one was harmed, boys being boys.' Walsh is considered one of the Broncos and NRL's most popular and talented rising stars. The 22-year-old flying star had previously left some NRL greats concerned after setting up a new YouTube channel that is set to give fans a behind-the-scenes look into his life. He has amassed 4,820 subscribers after having published seven videos on the site. Brisbane had locked him down on a four-year $5million contract extension to the end of the 2029 season at the end of last year. But former footy great James Graham was left scratching his head over how or why Michael Maguire gave the move the green light. 'Where it (Reece Walsh TV) can become a problem is if you've set your environment in stone around what's acceptable and what's not and had all the players pull back, and then one player made the decision to do this. I don't know if he had any consultation with the head coach, but that's when it becomes a problem,' Graham said on the Sunday Sin Bin. 'Reece isn't in the team at the moment, but that's where things can bubble away underneath the surface and it's like well, why are we allowing this and we're not allowing other things? 'I think like with Maguire, if he's been brought in to bring that hard edge, it's not happening yet.' It comes after the new Broncos boss is looking to get his side back to firing form following the departure of former boss Kevin Walters. The club has floundered in recent years, dropping to 12th last year and Maguire has implemented a no-nonsense approach. Brisbane are now 5-6 at the start of the 2025 season, with Walsh having appeared in seven games this season. He has been ruled out since their round seven defeat by the New Zealand Warriors after sustaining a posterior cruciate ligament injury. He'll now be absent for next Wednesday's state of Origin opener but is remaining optimistic that he could return in the coming weeks. 'No, probably not the first Origin, but you never know how (the knee is) feeling,' Walsh said, speaking on his hopes of returning to play. 'It's holding up pretty well at the moment but hopefully I can get through the rehab and see how we go. 'It might be a couple more weeks. Injuries are frustrating. 'That's what comes with playing our game, it's tough and physical and I have to keep rolling with the punches.'
