Mental health sports fund now available
A Mental Health Sports Fund grant program is now available to local sports clubs, according to Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch.
The funding can be used to expand or introduce mental health, resilience or wellbeing projects as well as collaborate with providers to deliver mental health support, she said.
Ms Tesch is encouraging local sport clubs to apply.
"In light of the recent surge in antisocial youth behaviour, it is absolutely imperative we invest more time and money into supporting mental health in our community, especially to support our young people.
"I know there are many sporting clubs that could utilise this funding to make an impact on their participants which will ultimately spread to impact the community as a whole."
She said that, over the pandemic, many have struggled with mental health issues while others struggled to support family members experiencing challenges with their mental health.
"Lifeline and the Kids Helpline experienced surges over this period, a very clear indication of the increase in those experiencing mental health crises," she said.
Ms Tesch is working closely with the community to address youth mental health.
"I recently hosted a community meeting where Council representatives and community representatives met to discuss youth mental health.
"It is something very close to my heart and I am sure many in the community as well.
"We have watched heartbreaking and distressing youth activity which is unacceptable.
"We all have a role in addressing mental health early on to prevent and provide support to those who are struggling which is why it is so important all of our local sporting clubs apply for this funding."
The funding is provided in two tiers, the first being up to $30,000 and the second up to $150,000.
The grants close today, Monday, March 7.
More information is available at https://www.nsw.gov.au/news/mental-health-sports-fund.
SOURCE:
Media release, 28 Feb 2022
Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford