Founded in 2018 by Zurich Insurance, the Z Zurich Foundation, the AFL Coaches Association, and the AFL Players' Association, Tackle Your Feelings is a free mental health education and awareness training program delivered by accredited psychologists and offered to local AFL community clubs' coaches, members, and staff.
“Zurich is incredibly proud to have supported Tackle Your Feelings since its inception,” said Linda Griffin, head of brand, marketing & corporate affairs at Zurich Australia & New Zealand and Tackle Your Feelings steering committee chair.
“There has never been a more important time to prioritise mental health education and support initiatives that improve awareness in the community,”
Tackle Your Feelings program manager Adam Baldwin said: “Community football clubs are beginning to understand the responsibility they have to their members to create an environment that prioritises mental health and promotes conversations so that someone who is struggling feels comfortable to ask for help.”
As part of the launch of the 2023 Tackle Your Feelings program, Monash University conducted a recent independent academic evaluation of the program. It found that the participants:
Improved their knowledge of mental health and wellbeing issues by 30%;
“The results of this report demonstrate that Tackle Your Feelings is a proven success and, more importantly, provide an encouraging signal of the difference the program will continue to make into the future,” Griffin said.
Barbara Jordan, Z Zurich Foundation regional engagement manager for Asia Pacific, said: “At the Z Zurich Foundation, we have a commitment to improving mental wellbeing in communities around the world.
“Tackle Your Feelings is one of our flagship programs, and we welcome the new data which confirms its positive impact on community sports clubs in Australia and communities more broadly.
“Tackle Your Feelings is an excellent example of many parties collaborating successfully for one common cause.”
Nathan Buckley, former AFL coach and player and Tackle Your Feelings ambassador, said: “It's an awesome program. It's so succinct and gives you really practical strategies. It's a great conversation starter.”
