Join VAFA Mental Health partners Thick & Thin and Tackle Your Feelings on Wednesday 28 July for an action-packed breakfast in the AFL Legends Room (MCG).

This event was originally scheduled to launch the inaugural VAFA Mental Health Round on 26 June. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event was postponed. Part of the breakfast was to provide resources for the round and to encourage all clubs to #tapeupforyourmates with two stripes of tape on the right forearm of each player, official and any supporters. One stripe was going to be blue (representing Thick & Thin) and the other red (Tackle Your Feelings). We will still provide resources at the 28 July event and will store the tape for the 2022 Mental Health Round.

The 28 July date provides a great opportunity to reflect on the year so far and start thinking about potential mental health initiatives for 2022. The new date includes the same fantastic line up as outlined below.

Thick & Thin is a player led initiative that has been increasing awareness of mental health issues within the VAFA since 2015. Tackle Your Feelings is a free mental health training program for local footy clubs and coaches that is supporting the VAFA in 2021. The two organisations are joining forces to bring you the biggest and most informative mental health event for all VAFA clubs.

The Tackling Mental Health 2021 Breakfast event will include:

• A panel discussion featuring past and present AFL and AFLW players and officials
• A presentation on mental health initiatives that clubs can implement
• An overview of the Tackle Your Feelings Program
• A showbag for each club containing information on support services and other resources

Each club is encouraged to send a minimum of two club representatives – this can be players, coaches, committee members or anyone the club deems appropriate. Clubs can send up to a maximum of 10 attendees (maximum venue capacity is 250 – get in early to avoid disappointment).

Ticket price** includes breakfast, all information and resources provided at the event, including a panel discussion with Neil Balme, Dylan Buckley, and Ellie Blackburn. You can purchase your tickets HERE

We look forward to seeing you at the ‘G at 7am for a 7:15am start.

Please contact the Thick & Thin team at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Please note that ticket sales will finish on Sunday 18 July if not sold out prior. This event is capped at 250 attendees so get in early to avoid disappointment.

**Ticket price is heavily subsidised by the Thick & Thin team. If you would like to donate to Thick & Thin, please email [email protected]

Purchase tickets via this link

Photo: Michael Dodge (Getty)