Hawthorn AFC week-long focus on mental health awareness

For the ninth consecutive year, Hawthorn AFC is promoting mental health awareness and raising funds for players and family members suffering from mental health issues.

The week-long focus involves a Mental Health Awareness Breakfast which takes place tomorrow morning at Beer Deluxe in Hawthorn where the club will release a short film on the importance of the issue.

Collingwood VFLW coach and ‘Are you OK?’ ambassador, Penny Cula-Reid, is this year’s guest speaker and will follow in the footsteps of Jeff Kennett, Jake Edwards, Will Balme, Ken Hunter, Ted Baillieu, Campbell Brown and Bill Brownless.

Donations from attendees are used for a HAFC Mental Health fund accessible to all HAFC players and family who need support in paying medical bills for mental health issues.

Furthermore, players will partake in an information session as part of the week and wear specifically-designed mental health awareness guernseys this Saturday.

Hawthorn’s awareness campaign was introduced more than 10 years ago when the club lost two former players and a player’s father to suicide over a short three-year period.

The VAFA congratulates Hawthorn AFC and all clubs on their outstanding work in the mental health awareness space, and encourage everyone to head to the Hawks’ Facebook page for more information.