Mental Health and Wellbeing
1 in 5 of us will experience symptoms of mental illness in any given year. In Australia that is around 5 million people, and roughly 60% of these people will not seek help (www.blackdoginstitute.org.au).
The overwhelming concern for Masters Swimming Australia is that our members are not immune to this statistic. The impact of the temporary closures of pools, training venues, active gatherings, financial stress and isolation from friends and family etc. is unknown on members mental health.
In 2020, the NBM and Branches discussed the benefits of supporting mental health with a focus on a Mental Health Month which began in 2021. The first two years we held our Mental Health month in May with Webinars, shared resources and fundraising as our focus.
In 2023 we are excited to once again support the Black Dog Institute to deliver a month of our MSA Mental Health Awareness – October 2023.
Stay tuned for the update on our activities for 2023.
Purchase a Limited Edition MSA MHA swimming Cap
After selling out our limited edition 2021 yellow MSA MHA swimming caps we are excited to be able to offer the 2023 limited edition Mental Health Awareness Swimming Caps. In support of the Black Dog Institute and mental health month, be sure to grab your bright blue cap while stock lasts. ($17.50 inc postage) Link to come.
2023 Podcasts
Check out the free podcasts offered by the Black Dog Institute exploring different insights into mental health through personal experiences and expert opinions
Resources
Mental Health Awareness is a chance to highlight the importance of connecting with one another and educate our community the benefits of swimming on mental health. MSA will regularly update this page with articles and research that will be of interest to our readers.
US Masters Swimming Articles:
- 4 Reasons Swimming is Great for Mental Health
- How to Stay Connected With Your Masters Swimming Community
- 5 Reasons Swimming is Great for Brain Health
BDI Resources:
- Exercise your mood
- Mental Health toolkit
- Online clinic
- myCompass
- digital tools and apps
- Support groups
- Factsheets
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact the following crisis services:
| Emergency | 000 |
| Lifeline | 13 11 14 |
| Kids Helpline | 1800 55 1800 |
| MensLine | 1300 78 99 78 |
| Suicide Call Back Service | 1300 659 467 |
Photo Gallery
Here we share photos, images, stories of our members and clubs supporting mental health awareness (some are directly from fundraising during May 2021) Stay tuned for some great new photos from 2023!
2022
2021
Wests Auburn members at visit to the ZooMeercat keeping an eye on Wests Auburn members at visit to the ZooLion keeping an eye on Wests Auburn members at visit to the ZooSeaside PiratesA picture from our walk and get together today which was mainly for mental health Month but a great chance to get together and get to know each other.
We walked across the Harbour bridge to the Australian heritage pub and enjoyed a lovely lunch of Kangaroo and Crocodile pizza, fish and chips, salmon and chicken schnitzel.
We left with the thought of doing it all again, perhaps another walk and another pub, but a great opportunity to meet “out of the pool”. Hopefully you can join us next time.Malvern MarlinsMelbourne H20Darwin StingersDarwin StingersDarwin StingersDarwin StingersDarwin StingersGabrielle Obrien
