Thick and Thin Round raises $1825 for men’s mental health

Headspace has confirmed the VAFA community raised a total of $1825 throughout the Thick and Thin initiative which took place in Round 17 of the home and away season.

By wearing either light or dark blue football socks, the VAFA playing community aimed to help raise awareness of men’s mental health issues and normalise those concerns by encouraging teammates to start a conversation.

“It’s all about raising awareness of mental health issues in the community but more specifically with young men, and particularly young men who play footy in the VAFA,” Thick and Thin co-founder and University Blacks midfielder Simon Hogan said.

Making the announcement via social media platforms Facebook and Twitter, Thick and Thin shared headspace’s post and said they were “very proud to donate the $1,825 raised from the ‘socks round’ to headspace, the National Youth Mental Health Foundation”.

“Thanks to all in the VAFA HQ community who supported the campaign throughout 2015!”

Thick & Thin is very proud to donate the $1,825 raised from the ‘socks round’ to headspace, the National Youth… http://t.co/G6n7wi4pAb

— Thick & Thin (@ThickAndThinVic) September 30, 2015

Great work by all in the @VAFA_HQ community. Lets make it bigger and better in 2016! https://t.co/6EuCHIZ8oH

— Simon Hogan (@sjwhogan) September 30, 2015

One of the leading participants in the fight for men’s mental health, Hawthorn Amateur Football Club announced today they will continue their push to create awareness when they run the 15km City 2 Sea marathon in order to raise money for headspace.

Hawks Are Running City 2 Sea For Headspace! Once again, we are participating in the City 2 Sea 15km run to raise… http://t.co/5nO4xXxKks

— Hawthorn Amateur FC (@HawthornAFC) October 4, 2015

The VAFA congratulates all clubs who partook in the Thick and Thin Round and looks forward to helping the initiative grow in the future.