The senior rugby league club recently participated in an NRL State of Mind Grassroots Program information session to upskill in the area of mental health. 

The Gorillas are one of ten clubs across the Country Rugby League to be involved in this program, run and funded by the National Rugby League within NSW. 

Established this year, the program aims to reduce the stigma around mental health within clubs and their communities, increase mental health literacy across grassroots rugby league clubs, stimulate help seeking behaviours of club members and empower the club to take ownership of their own mental health.

Corrimal and Albion Park-Oak Flats rugby league clubs have already taken part in such a session earlier this year. 

As part of their health and well-being initiatives, Warilla recently offered the education night for their senior players, coaches, managers, support staff and committee members.

The event took place at Warilla Sports Club.

Gorillas club president Don Kane said the session was aimed at “looking to help the guys or girls in our club to identify if anyone is experiencing mental health issues, and educate people on what to do if someone comes to them with issues”. 

Mr Kane said the Gorillas executive had decided to be proactive regarding mental health. 

“We want to look after everyone involved in our club, before it’s too late,” he said. 

“Mental illness doesn’t discriminate. In Australia, one in two people are affected by mental illness, and at the crisis end, suicide is the largest killer of individuals aged 15-44.”

The 90-minute session was co-facilitated by program ambassadors, St George Illawarra Dragons player Joel Thompson and Sam Bremner from the Australian Jillaroos. 

Community manager for NRL Health, Jessica Macartney said the ambassadors afforded a unique perspective for those in attendance. 

“Joel has a lot of experience with mental illness, so he breaks down the stigma by talking about his story and how he’s overcome that,” Ms Macartney said.

“Sam is really into doing all the community work she can do, and is really into healthy lifestyles of which mental health is obviously an important part.”

Ms Macartney said the mental health literacy session addressed topics such as signs and symptoms, and measures club members could take to help themselves and others. 

She also said the education session was not a mere one-off, but part of a six-step program.

Ms Macartney said Headspace Wollongong were also in attendance, and would forge an ongoing relationship with the Gorillas.

The Gorillas will also engage in activities such as club leaders planning an event to share the information they have learned. 

This would be set to culminate in the Gorillas eventually being recognised as a ‘State of Mind club’ in one to two seasons’ time.