The Buildcorp NRC mental health round donations have been tallied and a total of just over $40,000 will go to Lifeline Australia’s services to help young Australian’s with mental health issues.
The funds, collected through donations and the sale of Buildcorp NRC rugby balls, will go to Lifeline Australia through Buildcorp’s Charitable fund, a sub-fund of the Trust Company Foundation.
The Australian rugby community dug deep for the volunteers present at each Buildcorp NRC match during round nine, including the Bledisloe cup curtain raiser between Brisbane City and Canberra Vikings and the third and final Bledisloe Test at Suncorp Stadium.
Brisbane City’s jerseys for the curtain raiser featured the Lifeline logo on their sleeve and were auctioned online following the game, with all monies going towards the mental health round.
RUPA, together with the NRC naming rights sponsor, Buildcorp, and the State Unions promoted the round as a way of increasing funds and awareness, to encourage young people to talk about mental health issues.
The Melbourne Rebels spoke to Classic Wallaby and former Rebel, Julian Huxley in a candid story about his experience with mental illness.
Four of the Queensland Reds featured in a special video commercial, encouraging young males to talk about mental health issues.
Brumbies and Wallabies forward, Stephen Moore also spoke about mental health on Fox Sports’ Rugby HQ on the opening Thursday night of the round.
Mental health is an important component of RUPA’s Player Development Program. RUPA work closely with expert organisations to supplement resources with knowledge on mental health and to proactively identify and help players with mental health issues.
Research suggests one in five people in Australia have some form of depression, anxiety or mental health issue. Seventy-five percent of these people have their first mental health issue before the age of 25. The average age of professional Australian rugby players is 18 – 25 years old.
The funds raised from the mental health round will assist Lifeline Australia’s Online Crisis Support Chat, a service for those who don’t feel comfortable picking up the phone to use Lifeline’s 13 11 14 crisis line.
The average cost per online chat is approximately $30, so the $40,000 raised will provide significant assistance for this fundamental service.
