Community unites in mental health focus

MENTAL health unified almost 200 people from the Myrtleford Football and Netball Club (MFNC), their families, friends and other community members at the Ablett Pavilion on Saturday night. The Mental Health Week Wellbeing Dinner kicked-off a week-long focus on community resilience in Myrtleford, with the evening's guest speaker - former Diamonds netballer and Collingwood AFLW player Sharni Layton - sharing her journey through professional sports, shedding light on her struggles with mental health and finding resilience. “For me, I think it’s so great Myrtleford hosts not just this wellbeing night, but also a whole week," she said. “Mental health struggles are a big issue in Australia. “To see a club be so proactive in this space is very special and I’m excited to be a part of it. “Because the younger we learn coping strategies, the better-off we’ll be.” MNFC wellbeing team chair and club vice president, John Pryor, said the club was very excited to have Sharni there to kick off #BeKindToYourMindWellbeingWeek. “This is the fifth year the Mental Wellbeing Week has run in Myrtleford," John said. "This has been in no small part due to the hard work of the wellbeing team and I want to acknowledge those in our team who are here tonight who do the work right through the year. “From 23 June, we’ll see a range of activities promoting positive mental health and wellbeing for our local schools and our community and that’s where it needs to start. “Our wellbeing team began with a focus for supporting our players, which grew to supporting our volunteers and supporters and then onto our community. “The purpose of our wellbeing team is to destigmatise the conversation and provide a no-cost support outlet for our players and community. "Our club also has check-in sessions, where our football and netball leaders speak with a sports psychologist. "These sessions build the capacity of our leaders to support others and themselves and we also have a partnership with our local medical centre. “All of this is about providing support and raising awareness across our community. “Give yourself permission to open up to trusted friends, partners and family when you need to. “Mental health doesn’t discriminate: be brave and step up if you need to.” Myrtleford's senior netball coach and MC. Liv La Spina said the evening was both about listening to their wonderful guest speaker, and to have some really important conversations around mental health. “Hopefully guests have some time to reflect on their own mental health and wellbeing and build up how to support others with theirs," she said. “I think being one big community, it’s really important we have these conversations. “We see in the news there’s lots of people who lose their lives in small communities like ours to mental health struggles. “I think what our club is doing is really phenomenal to be on the front foot with mental health.” Fellow MC, and senior vice captain Riley Sharp, thanked the honoured guests in attendance, including; wellbeing team major partner North East Civil Construction's Glenn Clarke and Kirsty Robinson, and representatives from Myrtleford P-12 College, Marian College, St Mary's Primary School, Alpine Health, Myrtleford RSL, Alpine Shire Council, Ovens and Murray FNL, and Myrtleford Lions and Rotary clubs. The annual #BeKindToYourMind Shield game between Myrtleford FNC and Yarrawonga FNC will take place on Saturday, 12 July at The RC McNamara Reserve.

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