
Image Credit: Football West
Football West and health promotion partner Healthway have officially confirmed registrations are open for the 2025 “Kick off the Conversation” program.
This will be the second year of their groundbreaking mental health initiative for the Western Australian football community.
Following the remarkable success of last year’s campaign, which saw participation from more than 60 clubs across Western Australia, the program aims to expand its reach and deepen its impact on mental wellbeing within grassroots football.
The comprehensive initiative equips clubs with essential resources to address mental health challenges within sporting environments.
Participating organisations will develop capabilities to foster supportive club cultures, respond effectively to mental health concerns, implement tailored wellbeing policies, and appoint dedicated wellbeing officers.
To mark the launch of the 2025 program, Football West has collaborated with mental health organisation HelpingMinds to deliver two awareness sessions.
An in-person workshop will be held at the Sam Kerr Football Centre in Queens Park on May 28, followed by an online webinar on June 4.
Both sessions will cover mental health fundamentals, support strategies, and wellbeing enhancement techniques.
The popular Think Mental Health Round will return in July, with further details to be announced in coming weeks.
This year’s program will emphasise capacity building at club level, with particular focus on upskilling key personnel responsible for promoting wellbeing.
Clubs that completed the program in 2024 will be offered advanced training opportunities, including Mental Health First Aid certification for nominated wellbeing officers or club representatives.
Football clubs interested in participating are encouraged to visit the Kick off the Conversation webpage to register and access available resources.
Registration provides immediate access to educational materials designed to establish or enhance club wellbeing frameworks.
Mental Health has become present in the sporting world, especially in football.
The importance of Mental health for all participants is key to a healthy sport, community and everyone’s overall living.
It’s important that football institutions make sure that they offer quality mental health services and options for the community and tackle mental health head on.
This is a strong positive step by Football Western Australia and one that hopefully delivers positive outcomes.
To register your club, visit the Kick off the Conversation webpage for resources to build the mental health of your club.
To register for the Mental Health Awareness sessions presented by HelpingMinds click here.