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. In 2020, the impact of the temporary closures of pools, training venues, active gatherings, financial stress and isolation from friends and family etc. was unknown on members mental health. In 2020, the NBM and States 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 in support of the Black Dog Institute MSA delivered a webinar hosted by Mitchell Larkin and shared resources to bring awareness to mental health amongst members. This year we have updated our Mental Health Awareness Hub in support of the Black Dog Institute and shared recourses available this month for MSA Mental Health Awareness – October 2024..
The Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Swimming
In 2017 Swim England commissioned major new research into the health benefits of swimming. The Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Swimming report is an independent study that fully explores the impact of swimming on physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Reference: Swim England (2017). Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Swimming.
Purchase a Limited Edition MSA MHA swimming cap
We have been selling our limited edition yellow MSA MHA swimming caps since 2021 which continue to be available for purchase in 2024. In support of the Black Dog Institute and mental health month, be sure to grab your limited-edition Mental Health Awareness Swimming Caps bright blue cap while stocks last. ($17.50 incl postage).
4. Get your cap now
2024 Webinars & Podcasts
Check out the free webinars and 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.
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 2021-2022)
Seaside 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.
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