AusLeisure

rebel, one of Australia’s leading retailers of sporting equipment and apparel has formed a three-year partnership with Lifeline Australia with the shared goal of ending suicide in Australia. The organisations will work together to communicate the benefits of sport and exercise for boosting mental health, while raising funds for Lifeline to continue their critical work.

The partnership recognises the powerful, positive impact of sport on mental health and suicide prevention. According to research, being physically active is associated with lower suicidal ideation while meeting physical activity guidelines has shown to have a protective effect on a person’s suicidal risk.

Studies have also found that participation in sport is linked to higher self-esteem, better social skills, fewer depressive symptoms and higher levels of confidence. The social nature of team sport in particular is associated with better mental health outcomes, through connection and collaboration with others.

According to Lifeline Chief Executive, Colin Seery, this new partnership with rebel comes at a critical time for Australians as the need for mental health support rises across the country.

“The compounding trauma of the bushfire crisis and COVID-19 pandemic has seen demand for Lifeline services increase dramatically over the last two years. Lifeline Crisis Support volunteers are fielding calls to our 24-hour telephone crisis line every 30 seconds.”

“Lifeline’s partnership with rebel is a timely opportunity to highlight the positive impact that physical activity and sport can have on people’s mental health. This collaboration also hopes to raise awareness and funds for our services, so we can continue to be there for Australians 24/7.”

The partnership will roll out through an activation plan across rebel’s national retail and trade network. Managing Director of rebel, Gary Williams, welcomes the opportunity for rebel to put a spotlight on the connection between physical activity and improved mental health outcomes.

“rebel is committed to supporting mental health awareness in Australia and we are honoured to be partnering with Lifeline. At rebel, we understand the strong impact that sport and physical activity can have on your mental health and wellbeing. Through our deep connection to sport, we can help raise awareness and funds to support Lifeline and the valuable work they do for Australians in need”.

As an Official Partner of the AFL, rebel is also proud to support Lifeline and the AFL’s Supporters’ Care Kit, launched in the final round of the Premiership Season this week.

The Care Kit will help equip supporters to identify people in crisis and provide them with some of the same tools Lifeline’s Crisis Support Volunteers use.

Williams said the tool kit would encourage individuals to become mental health advocates and help end the stigma that stops people reaching out for help.

“We’re working with Lifeline to normalise open discussions about mental health among teammates, fans and communities across the country.

“It is incredibly important that Australians know that they are not in this alone.”

Image: Team Sport Credit:  Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels 

Related Articles

30th April 2021 - rebel to launch its first Queensland experiential concept store

17th August 2021 - Inaugural memorial surfing event raises awareness of mental health issues

13th August 2021 - When sporting icons opening up about mental health

11th August 2021 - Cycling New Zealand to review mental health support following sudden death of Olympian Olivia Podmore

11th June 2021 - Australia’s largest youth mental wellbeing convention inspires over 66,000 students

22nd April 2021 - New research examines the effects of sedentary behaviour on mental wellness

17th February 2021 - Surfing Victoria to host Bolt Blowers Invitational in support of mental health awareness

6th January 2021 - City of Fremantle and Perth-based Yogazeit help teenagers and young adults support mental health and wellbeing

11th November 2020 - Global Wellness Institute reports mental wellness to be a $121 billion market

18th September 2020 - Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 encourages New Zealanders to reimagine wellbeing

14th September 2020 - VIC Active considers Government’s mental health support package to be tokenistic

14th September 2020 - 15 new COVID-19 mental health clinics open in Victoria

3rd September 2020 - Snap Fitness aims to raise more than $50,000 to support mental health initiatives

21st August 2020 - Belgravia Foundation rolls out mental health training for Belgravia Leisure staff

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.