The AFL Players’ Association is proud to launch a partnership with the Movember Foundation, with AFL stars including Nat Fyfe and Drew Petrie throwing their support behind the Australian Mental Health initiative.

As men around the nation ready their upper lips for the looming moustache season, the Movember Foundation has today announced the largest ever non-government investment in men’s mental health in Australia, allocating $22.3 million to fund programs to help change the face of men’s health.

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The AFL Players’ Association is committed to encouraging those with a mental health problem to take action early and reducing the stigma associated with mental health, with the Foundation’s Australian Mental Health Initiative bringing together teams from across sectors and around the country to collaborate on projects that focus on keeping men and boys mentally healthy in the community and workplace.

“Mental illness is the number one health issue for men aged 15-25 years, which is the prime playing years of our membership.” – Dr Jo Mitchell

With one in eight Australian men experiencing depression in their lifetime and suicide remaining the leading cause of death for men aged 15 to 42, this record investment shows the Movember Foundation’s commitment to the mental health and wellbeing of Australian men and boys.

AFL Players’ Association Wellbeing Services Manager, Dr Jo Mitchell said, “We are extremely proud to be a Movember Men’s Health partner. Mental illness is the number one health issue for men aged 15-25 years, which is the prime playing years of our membership.

“Footy careers are short, and life is long. We want our members, their families, friends and supporters to know, talk about and apply strategies that look after their health and wellbeing across the life span.

“By partnering with some of the very best research and applied wellbeing science organisations in Australia, we hope to build a game changing digital platform that enhances the mental health, resilience and wellbeing of all Australian men.”

The Movember Foundation’s Australian Mental Health Initiative will fund a total of eight collaborative teams to implement three-year projects. Each team will be led by some of Australia’s leading community, sporting, research and program delivery organisations.

Jeremy Macvean, Movember’s Asia Pacific Director, said the Foundation received an overwhelming number of applications, highlighting that community is passionate about addressing the state of male mental health.

“Almost half (48 per cent) of Australian men will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives and around three-quarters of suicides are men,” said Macvean.

“These statistics are alarming and the Movember Foundation is taking a stand with this investment to address the unacceptable situation for males around the country.”

The AFL Players’ Association would like to acknowledge partner organisations, Young & Well Cooperative Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology and Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, as well as the following supporting organisations – Spark Strategy, Australian Cricketers Association, Interactive Games & Entertainment Association, R U OK? Foundation, Smiling Mind, Gabriel Course Design.