Running rings around health
THE direction towards more openness on mental health in both football and the community in general has undoubtedly been a positive change in recent years — and it’s time to work harder on understanding social media.
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan last week took a black and white stance to a grey issue.
The AFL chief executive said he believed the use of sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram played a role in the mental health of modern footballers.
McLachlan suggested a hide and forget approach for players who may encounter stress from the constantly cycling replies and comments found on the web.
“I’m not sure why players go on (social media), it’s obviously a big part of the younger generation’s lives, they want to be on there,” McLachlan said on 3AW. “I think the easiest way home on that one is to not be on there.”
Geelong footy boss Steve Hocking walked a similar line on Pulse FM’s The Sports Fix this week, preaching selfcontrol.
While on the surface those ideas seem simple and effective, they are virtually impossible for the millennial generation of players.
Almost all people of playing age spend as much time scrolling and refreshing social media as doing actual work, and calls for them to throw that away isn’t a solution to the issue at hand.
Football clubs, small and large, are better equipped than ever to manage mental health issues and give a helping hand to those that are struggling, and what happens inside an iPhone can have as much effect on wellbeing as anything else in modern society.
Assuming that players deleting apps will cure the need for instant gratification or feedback that is found on the web isn’t the right stance and more education is required to help players who may be struggling.
McLachlan himself said that social media was a big part of the life in this century and asking a footballer to ignore or shut out that part of life wasn’t the way forward. Junior clubs are providing more mental health help to players, and education and support is the answer not switching the phone off.