NRL State of Mind workshops

Clinton Toopi, Joel Thompson, Kobie Lollback, Robyn Gillon, Dane Parnaby and Detective Inspector Paul Quigg at Bourke High School for the NRL State of Mind program. PHOTO TWH

Rugby League greats Clinton Toopi and Joel Thompson and Christian Mott from the NRL joined Detective Inspector Paul Quigg in Bourke last Wednesday for a series of mental health workshops at local schools.

Supported by the Central North Police District, the NRL’s ‘State of Mind’ workshops connect young people with rugby league personalities.

Detective Inspector Paul Quigg, who is Crime Manager for the Central North Police District, said the NSW government understands the importance of tackling mental health and helping improve the lives of NSW communities by supporting these State of Mind workshops.

The importance of these workshops has been underlined with NSW government announcing a continued partnership with the NRL program.

Created in conjunction with expert partners – Headspace, Lifeline, Kids Helpline and the Black Dog Institute, the program aims to use the game’s high profile and players, to help remove the stigma of mental illness and stimulate help-seeking behaviours throughout the community.

This program tries to connect players, fans, and volunteers with mental health partners and local service providers in educating and informing communities.

In Australia, almost 1-in-2 people are affected by mental ill health – it doesn’t discriminate and affects all ages, cultures and both sexes.

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