Sporting clubs and bodies across the region are engaging in mental health workshops.
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In the Victorian Government's mental health services 2017-18 annual report, 32.9 per cent of the almost 73,000 people utilising government-funded mental health services were from rural areas.
Mental health issues within sport have come to light more than ever this year, with high profile footballers such as Western Bulldogs' Tom Boyd and St Kilda's Jack Steven speaking out about their own battles.
The trend has also extended beyond the professional level. In round one of the Wimmera league, Nhill and Dimboola united to raise awareness of mental health and money for the Movember Foundation.
Castlemaine's Jeremy Forbes developed HALT (Hope and Assistance to Local Tradies) and facilitated a number of sessions within the region, conveying a positive message and awareness to the region's sporting identities that are traditionally less likely to come forward when faced with their own mental health issues.
The HALT program focuses on raising awareness of anxiety, depression and well being in the whole community with an emphasis on men's mental health.
Great Western Football Netball Club and Ararat Football Netball Club in conjunction with Grampians Community Health hosted Mr Forbes last week after training sessions.
Great Western's football development manager and joint-reserves coach Matthew Delzotto said the sessions were a great learning tool on how to deal with mental health issues.
"It was a fantastic session and really well received," he said.
"I took a lot out of the sessions personally, for both my roles within the club.
"My role is communicating with young men on a daily basis - ranging between ages five and fifty.
"It's really important to open up effective channels and listen and make them feel like an important part of the club and society as a whole."
Delzotto said from the club's perspective there was a level of responsibility to provide a positive environment.
"From our standpoint, a lot of football clubs are the pillar or backbone of the community," he said.
"I believe there is a level of responsibility on the club to assist in any way possible - men, women, children - anyone who is struggling with mental health issues."
Delzotto said the session was targeted at men within the club.
"It was about breaking down those barriers of the 'she'll be right mate' mentality," he said.
"The issue is coming a really prevalent part of society and I was pleased the number of people who attended the session and gave the issue the respect it deserves."
AFL Wimmera-Mallee is hosting a mental health education session on Monday, June 24 in Horsham for all coaches and support staff.
AFL Wimmera-Mallee's football development manager Jason Muldoon said the session falls in line with a mental health focus right across society.
"I think football and netball clubs are a reflection of society and there would be people within these clubs who would suffer from mental health issues," he said.
"History tells us that we've lost a few good people that have been involved in sporting clubs so that's probably the driver for me to get the Outside the Locker Room involved.
"There are many fantastic programs about - I don't think it really matters who you use it's about getting the message across into football and netball clubs."
If you, or someone you know, needs help phone
- Lifeline 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au