Your Health and Wellbeing

Just like physical health, we also have mental health. According to the World Health Organization, mental health is “a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.”

Keeping our mind healthy is something we should do on a daily basis. It is an important part of your overall health to be able to function well, have meaningful social connections, positive self-esteem and the ability to cope with change.

There are a number of ways you can stay mentally healthy, including:

• keeping active and busy - with sport, art, music, handwork, volunteering etc 
• eating well
• sleeping well
• connecting with your community, family and friends
• talking about your feelings

We all have ups and downs, times when we feel great and times when we feel we are struggling. This is normal. However, sometimes issues with our mental health can develop.

If you are looking for some help or know someone that is please see a few suggestions below:

• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS): Provides mental health programs to infants, children, and young people, including community, specialized, and hospital-based programs. For urgent mental health help or advice, call CAMHS Crisis Connect at 1800 048 636, available 24/7.
• headspace: A national organisation with centers across Western Australia, offering support for mental health, physical and sexual health, alcohol or drug use, and work and study issues for young people aged 12-25.
• Youth Focus: A for-purpose organization that provides a range of mental health services to young people in Western Australia, aiming to create brighter futures.
• HelpingMinds: Offers free youth mental health support services and programs designed to be fun, informative, and empowering for young people dealing with mental health challenges within their families.
• YouthLink: A specialist mental health service offering counseling, therapy, and case management to young people aged 13-24 in the north metropolitan area who face significant mental health problems and barriers to accessing mainstream services.
• Here for you: The support line is for anyone seeking help for their own or someone else’s mental health, alcohol and or other drug related challenges. 08 9442 5000 
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Female performance and Health
• Male Performance and health   

Sport Integrity Australia — Clean Sport and Athlete Wellbeing
Sport Integrity Australia, formerly ASADA, provides trusted information for athletes, coaches and clubs on clean sport, anti-doping rules, supplement risks, illicit drugs in sport, athlete safety and integrity education. Athletes are encouraged to check any medication or supplement before use and seek advice from a qualified health professional where needed. Click here for more information 

• Sport Integrity Australia – Supplements in Sport - Useful for athletes considering protein powders, pre-workout, fat burners or recovery supplements. It explains the anti-doping risks of supplements and why athletes need to be careful. Sport Integrity Australia warns that many failed anti-doping tests are linked to supplement use.
• Sport Integrity Australia – Supplement Risk Analysis -A practical resource explaining different levels of supplement and medication risk, including lower-risk TGA-registered medicines and higher-risk supplement categories
• Sport Integrity Australia – Illicit Drugs in Sport -Information about how illicit drug use can affect athletes, including anti-doping consequences and available treatment pathways.
• Sport Integrity Australia – SIA Edge eLearning - Free online courses for athletes, parents, coaches and clubs covering anti-doping, safe sport, ethical decision-making, illicit drugs, complaint handling and other sport integrity topics.
• Sport Integrity Australia – Health Effects of Doping -Explains the health risks of performance-enhancing drugs and includes education resources for athletes and support personnel.