Lions’ players, including vice-captains Daniel Merrett, Jed Adcock and Tom Rockliff, will feature in a state-wide campaign launched at tonight’s AFL match against Geelong at the Gabba by Queensland Health Minister, Lawrence Springborg and Lions Chairman, Angus Johnson.
The community service announcement (CSA) will also feature at all remaining Lions matches in 2012.
Lions players will also use their personal social media accounts to encourage followers to join them and sign up to the Change Our Minds pledge on the Change Our Minds website.
Queenslanders can take a pledge at www.changeourminds.qld.gov.au.
“People sometimes don’t know how to act around someone who has a mental illness,” said Merrett.
“You should just act normally around them - support them, respect them and treat them like a mate.”
Queensland Health Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young, said people living with mental illness should be encouraged to talk about their experiences and seek help.
“About one in five Australians will experience a mental illness within a 12 month period, yet many people will not seek help because of the stigma associated with it,” she said.
“By changing our minds about mental illness we can make a difference and put an end to the discrimination people face every day.”
Dr Young said the personal support of the Lions’ football players would help drive the important message home.
The Lions saw the opportunity to be involved with the Change Our Minds campaign as a natural extension of the Club’s community work already being conducted.
The Lions earlier this year launched their ground-breaking Lions Hearted Leaders program - an exciting new leadership program developed by the Lions players themselves for students in grades 5-8.
The Lion Hearted Leaders program was developed over the course of the six months prior to launch by Lions players and staff in order to deliver an educational program in line with the Brisbane Lions’ core leadership values.
It will be delivered to more than 5,000 students across South East Queensland in 2012 in conjunction with AFL Queensland.
