Queensland and Rugby Unite leading the way when it comes to mental health
One in five Australians will experience a mental health condition in any given year. Meanwhile, fewer than 50% of people with depression will actually seek out treatment or intervention.
While rugby players are quick to treat any physical injuries they suffer on the field, there’s still a huge stigma attached to seeking out help for less visible problems.
Mental health is still viewed by many as a mystery; the Rugby Unite program based in Queensland is aiming to fix that.
The three-year program will provide information to clubs about combating mental health problems as well as training volunteers in mental health first aid.
The Rugby Unite charity was formed in 2016 by Damon Rielly, Darren Gaffney, Michael Chettle and Alex Corones. The four men were all close friends with former Reds, Easts and Sunnybank player Rick Tyrrell, who passed away in 2015. Rick’s memory, as well as that of former Queensland Red and Wallaby Stan Pilecki, who was an avid campaigner for mental health support, continue to live on through Rugby Unite.
Whilst the program has been slowly gaining traction in the last few years, the Queensland Rugby Union have now officially partnered with Rugby Unite to help provide the program to all 240 clubs across the state. The Palaszczuk State Government and the Queensland Mental Health Commission have also come on board.
After Rick’s passing, his friends worked with Easts and Sunnybank clubs to create the Rick Tyrrell Cup – which would be contested between the two clubs on an annual basis. The fifth annual clash will take place this Saturday. The two rivals will don the opposition’s socks for the match in a show of camaraderie.
QRU CEO David Hanham said Rugby Unite and Stan Pilecki had brought the incredibly important issue of mental health into the spotlight.
“Rugby is like any other part of the community – our players and supporters are just as likely to suffer mental health issues,” Mr Hanham said.
“Based on State-wide mental health statistics, almost 5,000 of our 26,000 registered players will suffer some sort of mental health issue every year. If this program can get one person the clinical help they need, it has done its job.
“We will be providing our Rugby community not just with encouragement to talk about mental illness, but providing each club with the tools to identify it and get people into the health system.”
The QRU certainly seem to be leading the way when it comes to supporting and managing mental health.
This week’s match between the Reds and the Blues has been themed ‘Beat the Blues’ and will be the Reds’ first-ever mental health round.
Given the prevalence of mental illness in young men, as well as the links between concussion and mental health problems later in life, rugby needs to lead the way when it comes to managing mental health.
There has certainly been an increase in mental health awareness in recent years – both in and out of the game – with the likes of ex-All Blacks John Kirwan prominently discussing the topic in the media.
The Rugby Unite program is just one more step in the right direction.
Comments on RugbyPass
Mark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments