Volleyball WA is excited to champion the 2020 Mental Health Week theme of ‘Strengthening Our Community – Live, Learn, Work, Play” to raise the awareness of supporting and increasing the mental wellbeing of the WA volleyball community.

Mental health is so important in 2020 with the current uncertainity in Australia and throughout the world. It is important for Volleyball WA to continue to invest in the mental health and wellbeing of our members, volunteers, and staff.

Volleyball WA’s ongoing partnership with the Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH) has helped to promote the ways sport can help contribute to good mental health, including activations during WA Mental Health Week in 2018 and 2019. During WA Mental Health Week 2020, Volleyball WA is returning to Yagan Square to host the 2020 Fortix Corporate Cup to promote the importance of physical activity to mental health and wellbeing at work.

Volleyball WA has also partnered with iyarn in 2020 to roll out the iyarn check-in app for the community to use as a tool to facilitate the mental health conversation. This partnership was launched on R U OK? Day (10th of September).

Lockie Cooke, Director from iyarn said, “Mental health is a challenge that most of us will experience in our lifetime, either directly or amongst our friends and family. The big factors for mental health are family, friends, relationships and job stability, checking in with those around you can be extremely powerful, please make the most of Mental Health Week and start a conversation with your teammates today.”

Head to Iyarn’s Check-In App, which is here to assist the volleyball community with initiating these types of conversations.

Volleyball WA CEO Robyn Kuhl expressed her excitement about the opportunity to once again champion the Mental Health Week message through sport.

“Mental health is so critically important right now. The COVID pandemic forced border closures, home isolation and significant changes to our everyday lives. Volleyball WA acted swiftly to ensure the needs of the volleyball community were considered and that we could continue to engage and support each other through the difficult times. This has made our community stronger and more resilient.” said Kuhl.