Wise words needed for footballers
P R O M I S I N G f o o t b a l l e r s needed to be reminded that a career in rugby league was not their only option, says Queensland’s Mental Health Commissioner.
On his first official visit to Townsville, Ivan Frkovic addressed the increased suicide rate between 2013 and 2015, which saw four promising North Queensland footballers take their own lives.
“We are setting kids up to fail, not all of us are going to be Johnathan Thurston,” he said.
“These kids might have major life aspirations about being a top footballer. Unfortunately that does not always end up the case.
“We need to kids’ resilience.”
Mr Frkovic said it was important to remind up- andcoming league stars that making the NRL was not the be- all and end- all.
“Rugby league is one avenue, but there are other ave- build these nues you can take to still be a valued contributing member of society,” he said. “They can be doing well in different areas as well; we have got to give these kids different options.”
He said well- co- ordinated local health and community services were the cornerstone of effective suicide prevention.
“Generally in Queensland, the numbers are unacceptable; the numbers are unacceptable nationally,” Mr Frkovic said.
“Data says that people living in rural and regional areas are at a higher level of risk.
“Whether it’s young rugby league players, LGBTI and indigenous communities, we need to take much more of a community focus.
“Individuals and communities also have a role to play in reducing the tragic impact of suicide.”
Mr Frkovic yesterday met with the Townsville Suicide Prevention Network to hear about local initiatives to reduce suicide in the region.
“What’s been heartening is the number of agencies in the broader community involved in developing a clear plan, taking leads in different aspects whether it’s intervention, prevention or postvention for people,” he said.
“People have taken all sorts of responsibility to drive this so we can pull our resources together and try to make an impact. We all need to prioritise our own wellbeing and continue to develop our ability to cope with life’s challenges.
“As a community, we need to learn more about what we can do to help others if we are concerned about them. The Townsville Suicide Prevention Network plays a key role in helping get this message to the local community.”