A Wesley Mission-run mental health hospital network, Wesley Hospital has provided world-class treatment to Australians suffering from mental health conditions for more than 60 years.
Last week, the hospital team brought ‘Wesley’ – a giant inflatable elephant – to Brydens Sydney Uni Flames, a WNBL team aligned with the University of Sydney, and gifted Wesley ‘stress elephants’ to raise awareness of the demands professional sport can have on the mental health of elite athletes.
Up to 45 per cent of athletes experience stress and anxiety, including depressive episodes.
Sydney Uni Flames’ Alice Kunek knows first-hand the toll professional sport can have on your psyche.
“Maintaining a positive mindset can often be a struggle when your game is repeatedly being scrutinised and you’re trying to overcome expectations, especially around finals time,” she said.
“We need to ensure that we have a great support system around us.”
Wesley Hospital clinical psychologist Dr John Kearney said: “For many years, the stigma attached to mental health issues among athletes has, unfortunately, often been equated to mental weakness, with the only acceptable injuries being a broken arm or fractured eye socket.
“By joining with the Brydens Sydney Uni Flames, we’re encouraging the public to talk more openly about the ‘elephant in the room’ in sport.”
Your gift to Wesley Mission would make sure mental health programs including counselling, 24/7 crisis support, and suicide prevention, are there for people in times of crisis. Donate at wesleymission.org.au.
Shoot stigma around mental health
ASHFIELD’S Wesley Hospital has teamed up with the Women’s National Basketball League to shoot the stigma around mental health in elite sports this October during Mental Health Month.