Mind Australia's partnership with Southern Suburbs Rugby League Club is helping strengthen conversations about mental health and wellbeing, with the first of a series of wellbeing workshops now underway for players, coaches and volunteers.
Delivered as part of Mind's three-year partnership with the Cairns club, the workshops are designed to build confidence in recognising when someone may be struggling, encourage open conversations about mental health, and help people connect with the right support when they need it.
The workshops form part of a broader partnership between Mind and Southern Suburbs, which aims to promote mental health and wellbeing throughout the club and the wider community. Alongside the workshops, Mind and Southern Suburbs are also developing wellbeing resources tailored to the needs of the club and its community.
Jackie Healey (Clinical Lead) and Sacha Harrold (First Nations Peer Practitioner) are from the Cairns Medicare Mental Health Centre, delivered by Mind. Together, they are facilitating these workshops, which are designed to give players, coaches and volunteers practical tools to listen and respond when someone may need support.
“It’s about looking for the small signs that someone may not be doing OK, knowing it’s OK to ask, and understanding that you don’t have to have all the answers,” Jackie said.
“If someone tells you they’re struggling, your role is to stay with them, support them, and help connect them with the right support.”
For Southern Suburbs player Arthur Harris, the partnership has strengthened the club's already strong sense of community by encouraging players to look out for one another beyond game day.
As both a Southern Suburbs player and a Mind staff member, Arthur has experienced the partnership from both perspectives and has seen firsthand how the workshops have been received by the club.
"My teammates responded really well,” Arthur said. “What stood out was how relatable the discussions were and how many people could connect the information to their own lives, families or friends. It was encouraging to see players openly engage in conversations that may not normally happen in a sporting environment."
Arthur said creating spaces where people feel comfortable talking about their mental health is just as important as building physical fitness, particularly in community sport where teammates often become lifelong friends and support networks.
"Sporting clubs are often like extended families. People spend a lot of time together and build strong relationships, which makes them a great place to encourage conversations about mental health. Creating safe spaces helps reduce stigma and reminds people that they don't have to deal with challenges on their own,” he said."
Reflecting on his roles with both Mind and Southern Suburbs, Arthur said the partnership had been personally meaningful.
"It's been incredibly rewarding. As a Mind employee, I understand the importance of creating opportunities for people to learn about mental health and wellbeing. As a player, I've seen firsthand how valuable those conversations can be within a club setting. Seeing the two organisations work together towards a shared goal has been something I'm genuinely proud to be part of."
Looking ahead, Jackie said the partnership provides an opportunity to bring conversation about mental health into the spotlight across the club and the broader Cairns community.
“We want to get people talking about mental health, reduce the shame and stigma, and let people know that there is compassionate help out there for them,” she said. “People can be met without judgement, and where they’re at in their mental health journey.”
The wellbeing workshops are one of several initiatives being delivered through Mind's partnership with Southern Suburbs Rugby League Club. Together, the organisations are committed to strengthening mental health awareness and making it easier for people across the Cairns and Hinterland region to access support when they need it.
Mind has a strong presence in the Cairns region, delivering a range of community mental health services that support people at different stages of their recovery. These include the Individual Recovery Support Program, the Crisis Support Space, community-based residential recovery care services, and the new Cairns Medicare Mental Health Centre.