This online portal has been designed to equip club officials and parents with the tools to support young people with their mental health.
Gain the confidence to have those important conversations.
The Read The Play Player online training will equip you with the knowledge, literacy and confidence to engage with a young person who may be experiencing mental health difficulties.
The training will assist in breaking down barriers and reducing stigma around youth mental health.
Courses
Player Wellbeing Officer
Who is Read The Play?
We are on a mission to raise awareness of young people's health issues and guide them to the relevant support services.
One in four young people between the ages of 15 – 24 will experience a mental health problem in any 12-month period. 75% of mental illnesses first occur in people aged 15 to 24, yet . . . only one in four young people with mental health problems receive professional help.
The aims of Read the Play are to:
• Increase knowledge and awareness about mental health problems
• Increase knowledge about local support services
• Increase confidence and skills in guiding our youth to relevant support services
This online portal has been designed to equip club officials and parents with the tools to support young people with their mental health.
Why Read The Play Courses
Awareness
Increase understanding and awareness around youth mental health; signs, symptoms, causes, treatment, the link between mental health and physical health.
Support
Learn how to support young people who may be struggling with mental health issues and know where and how to refer them for further help.
Skills
Develop skills to confidently identify symptoms of mental health and how to effectively engage with young people about their mental health.
Accreditation
Gain official Read The Play accreditation and strengthen your club’s sense of community, culture and dedication to fostering a mentally healthy and safe environment for players, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and everyone in between.
What Students Say
U15 female participant, Mt Gambier
“I liked that in the program they highlighted that celebrities also suffer with mental illness”
U15 male football participant, Geelong Amateurs FC
“I really enjoyed learning the statistics and learning about celebrities with a mental illness”
U15 female participant, Anakie FC
“Amazing program, I loved it all”
U15 male football participant, St Josephs FC
“The presentation really made realise that it’s ok to speak up and ask for help”
U15 male football participant, Torquay FC
“I thought it was helpful how they told us where to find helplines and what to do if you think someone is struggling”
AJ, Read The Play Presenter
‘The interactive and games based nature of Read The Play helps to reduce the stigma around mental health and shows the players that it’s okay to not be okay. I believe all the kids who participate in the sessions take something away from it.’
Cindy Jones , Player Wellbeing Officer Bell Park FC
"The Read the Play training sessions helped me to expand my knowledge on mental health and local support services, increase my confidence in the ability to respond to people with mental health issues and how to assist them access relevant support services. "
Carrie Rowe , Player Wellbeing Officer Geelong West Giants FC
"Through the wellbeing officer training, I came away equipped with the tools I needed to confidently support any individual or collective player concerns, as well as strategies we could put in place to be more proactive in supporting the wellbeing of all players."
Tayla, Read The Play Presenter
"Read The Play is a fantastic program that really engages the kids. Having a Player Wellbeing Officer who is accredited and trained gives the kids that touch point and often a sounding board that can guide them to further support."