St Kilda coach Brett Ratten has underlined how important it is for other people to show their support in times of loss or grief.
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As part of the Tackle Your Feelings video series, Ratten experienced an unimaginable level of level of anguish following the death of his 16-year-old son Cooper in a car accident in August 2015.
However, the Saints coach said it was the tightknit nature of the football community which allowed him to rebound.
“The biggest thing that helped me was the game… Footy played a part for me to maybe just remove myself from the grieving process to think about something else just a little bit to help me move this far forward,” Ratten said.
“Whether you’re the person who is having some hardship and need some help or you know there’s someone out there in your group, I think asking the questions and prodding. That goes two ways, but we’ve got to talk about it, find out, show that you care.”
Need Support? If you know someone who requires urgent assistance or support, please contact:
Suicide call back service: 1300 659 467
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Support for AFL Players: If you are a current or past AFL Player and would like to know more about our specialised wellbeing and mental health services please contact the AFL Players’ Association at wellbeing@aflplayers.com.au or Tel. 03-8651 4300 (Mon to Fri, 9am – 5pm).
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We are delivering what are usually face-to-face workshops, virtually online to help community coaches & club members understand, recognise and manage the signs of mental health.
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