AFL Industry Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy

The AFL’s inaugural Industry strategy has a dual focus: the prevention of mental ill-health and safe and effective responses to mental health challenges for all people in the industry.

The strategy was introduced in 2020 to lay a foundation for policy and culture reform and drive initiatives that increase protective factors for mental wellbeing during the unprecedented impacts of the COVID seasons. 

It is the first aligned strategic framework to guide an industry-wide approach to the mental health and wellbeing of all employees, umpires, coaches and players across the AFL ecosystem. 

The AFL appointed a Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing and built a multidisciplinary mental health and wellbeing team. The team works across the mental health continuum and leads club and AFL policy and practice in mental health and social emotional wellbeing. 

Play Well, the AFL’s employee health and wellbeing program, was created to sustain psychologically, safe, healthy, and thriving workplaces.  The AFL’s approach to thriving is supported by Play Well’s four pillars, Healthy Workplace, Healthy Mind, Healthy Body and Healthy Life, providing a holistic framework for supporting the wellbeing. 

The team also deliver a large wellbeing program and positive psychology curriculum in the youth Talent pathways, with a focus on primary prevention initiatives. Learn about the Talent program here. 

Community clubs and state leagues initiatives include a national mental health literacy and resilience program for young people and best-practice resources and information on how to choose a mental health program for their club that is safe and effective. Learn more about the initiatives here. 

More recently, the AFL has been working to develop a new Industry Strategy 2023-2025, which will include industry-wide principles and actions to prevent, respond and promote the mental health of players, staff, talent pathways, umpires, coaches and communities.

The AFL has this advice for others: 

• Systems approaches that identify and reduce risks to mental health are essential for take a lasting impact on the mental health and wellbeing of the Industry.  
• Ensure diverse contribution across the whole industry when identifying and solving complex operational, structural, economic, social and health issues that contribute to mental health challenges. 
• Continually monitor impact and evaluate mental health policy and practice change.
• Deep collaboration and partnerships are essential in achieving lasting change for the Industry. 
• Ensure mental health experts are engaged to guide evidenced informed responses.