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.

MSA Mental Health Awareness Month – May 2022

We are excited to support the Black Dog Institute again to deliver a month of Mental Health Awareness and education in May 2022. Some activities that we are planning for are:

  • A webinar with the Black Dog Institute where the presenter shares their lived experience with mental illness and provide insights on signs and symptoms of mental illness, when and where to seek help, and practical strategies for helping a friend or family member.
  • Sharing resources made available for Clubs and Members.
  • Encouraging Branches, Clubs and individual members to come together throughout May 2022 to fundraise for the Black Dog Institute (or any other chosen mental health charity).
  • Providing fun ideas on how your club might fundraise in the future

Help raise funds to support BDI and ‘Set yourself a Challenge’ during the month of May! Read HERE  for some challenging ideas

Go to the 2022 Fund Raising page

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 2022 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)

 

2022 Webinar

If you missed the FREE webinar ‘Breaking Down Depression’ held on Sunday 1 May at 2pm (AEST) about mental health and wellbeing there are other webinars facilitated by Black Dog Institute. Register for any of the upcoming Black Dog Institute webinars during the month of May. The presenter will share their lived experience with mental illness and provide insights on signs and symptoms of mental illness, when and where to seek help, and practical strategies for helping a friend or family member.

 

Presentation      Date Time (AEDT) Register
Mental Fitness Tuesday 17 May 2 pm Register now
Breaking Down Depression Friday 20 May 7 pm Register now
Navigating your teen’s mental health Thursday 26 May 7 pm Register now

 

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:

BDI Resources:

 

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 2022!

2022

2021