About Us
Who we are
We are a not-for-profit organisation, set up and run by Hockey players, to raise awareness around the importance of looking after your own mental health & your teammates too. This message is encapsulated in our hashtag #TEAMMATESFORLIFE
Glenn Turner Co-founder LIVIN FOR HOCKEY
“You can’t always stop a mental illness from starting, but you can choose how you manage it. Anxiety is a condition that I have learnt to control through Hockey, meditation and the close bonds I have with Hockey teammates. Playing for Australia and going to the Olympics are goals that I had since playing Hockey with my mates as a kid in Goulburn."
"I want to show the next generation of players, that together we can help each other with life’s challenges and together we can achieve anything we want. Anxiety didn’t stop me from reaching my goals and it shouldn’t for anyone else too. However it starts with speaking up, getting help and putting a plan together. Hockey provides the community, friends and sport to keep the health improvements going for life.”
@glenn_turner4
Our vision
A Hockey community where everyone has the knowledge and skills to understand, empathise with, address and cope with mental health issues.
Our goals #1
Reducing the stigma of mental health and to normalise mental health issues to be the same as physical health issues.
Our goals #2
Raising awareness of the importance of seeking help as soon as possible through peer support, accredited information and mental health professionals.
Our goals #3
'Zero' tolerance in the Hockey community for bullying, all forms of abusive behaviour, and a wide understanding of the negative impact these have on a person’s mental health.
Our goals #4
Embed an understanding of how physical exercise, in a supportive team environment, can have positive benefits on a person’s mental and physical health.
What we do
Pathway Program
The LIVIN FOR HOCKEY Pathway Program - Providing Hockey equipment to younger people to help overcome the financial barriers to playing Hockey.
Mental Health Training
The LIVIN FOR HOCKEY Mental Health Awareness Program - face-to-face training offered to all participants in the Hockey community.
Spreading the message
To create an awareness in the Hockey community of the LIVIN FOR HOCKEY Goals, and how players and supporters can support the cause.
Mental Illness - Key Messages
Why Hockey is good for your Mental health
Combat depression
One of the physical benefits of playing Hockey is the release of endorphins, commonly known as the happy hormone. Endorphins not only make you feel happier, they can make you feel more relaxed as well. It doesn’t have to be at Olympic level, playing Hockey at any level is about getting on your feet, increasing your heart rate, and having fun at the same time.
Combat anxiety
Playing Hockey has benefits that can reduce anxiety, such as the positive impact you can get through the social support from your teammates. Playing Hockey also provides a great distraction from worries and rumination. Numerous studies have shown that people who exercise regularly experience fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety than those who do not exercise regularly.
Improved sleep and fitness
Studies show that people can experience improved sleep and fitness from playing sport, it can also reduce the occurrence of mental illnesses. Regular exercise such as playing Hockey, has numerous physical health benefits. These benefits include prevention of medical conditions such as obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, strokes and certain types of cancers.
Improved self-confidence
Playing hockey allows people to take an active role in their own health and wellbeing. It can also increase a sense of control and self-esteem through achieving goals and improved performance in their own game.
Feeling of belonging
An important yet often overlooked benefit, is the feeling of being part of a bigger community group. Being part of a Hockey team, club and community, generates a sense of value, belonging and attachment.
Improved concentration
Exercising regularly keeps your mental skills intact, such as critical thinking, learning, and concentration abilities. Furthermore, engaging in physical activity such as playing sports may help prevent development of certain cognitive and neurological disorders.
Increased socialisation
Playing Hockey provides the perfect opportunity for social interaction. It allows players to spend time with friends, as well as making new ones. This provides the social network that is an important aspect of mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
Why good Mental Health is important for Hockey
Improved on field decision making
Decisions are mental, skills are physical, being able to do both defines the best athletes. Good mental health helps with focus, resilience and achieving goals.
Improved team performance
A culture of mental health support enables players to get timely assistance and care, getting them back on the pitch quicker and staying healthy.
Improved awareness
Players who strive for good mental health are more likely to help out their teammates who might be struggling with theirs.
Reduced missed games
Being focused on good mental health reduces the likelihood that a mental health issue will require time away from Hockey.
Team culture
Building a culture of support is about changing people’s thinking to understand that supporting mental wellbeing enhances, rather than impedes, sporting results. Ric Charlesworth said in an interview about getting the best out of top level Hockey players: “…it's their capacity to handle the stresses of competition that often makes the difference. And in the end you have to take a holistic approach, you better be improving all of those aspects of the athletes, if you're not able to do so then you're not going to make the progress that you should..."
Mental Health Support Resources
Lifeline
We are a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. We are committed to empowering Australians to be suicide-safe through connection, compassion and hope.
Kids help line
Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free (even from a mobile), confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
Beyond Blue
We are Australia’s most well-known and visited mental health organisation, focused on supporting people affected by anxiety, depression and suicide.
RUOK
R U OK? is a harm prevention charity that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives.
Black Dog Institute
We focus on new challenges and opportunities in mental health – suicide prevention, digital innovation, lived experience, youth and workplace mental health. Our work in mood disorders continues through our investigation of new and better ways to treat and prevent conditions like anxiety and depression through digital tools and novel treatments.
Movember
We are the leading charity changing the face of men’s health. We know what works for men – and what doesn’t. We fund groundbreaking projects all over the world, engaging men where they are to understand what works best and accelerate change.
Butterfly Foundation
Butterfly Foundation is the national charity for all Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, and for the families, friends and communities who support them.
Our people
Patrick O'Connor Co-founder LIVIN FOR HOCKEY
"The #TEAMMATESFORLIFE hashtag describes one of the most important benefits of our sport. We all love playing Hockey, but it's the close bonds we have with our teammates, opponents and officials, that last forever. Look after yourself first, but do your best to be there for your teammates on and off the field, today and forever."
"Our juniors don't just learn Hockey skills, they learn Life skills. Hockey sticks give Hockey smiles and Hockey Hope. If you don't believe that smiles and hope are our best weapon against Youth Suicide, then you have never watched kids playing Hockey."
Leigh Mcintosh – National Manager
Leigh has been an ambassador for LIVIN FOR HOCKEY since September 2018 and in this time, he has helped us get our message out to the public. For Leigh the initiative is a great blending of two of his major passions, Mental Health Awareness and Hockey.
Like all of us here at LFH he also strongly believes in the great difference that the inclusiveness and support that we gain from our Hockey communities has on our mental health. He is eager to help boost participation through working with our ambassadors nationwide to get as many people involved and supported through Hockey as possible.
Kayleb O'Connor - Director
Kayleb has been actively involved in playing Hockey and coaching juniors for over 10 years. He is invovled in many areas of LIVIN FOR HOCKEY including as a presenter for the mental health awareness course.
Catriona Bailey-Price - Ambassador
Catriona has been invovled with LFH since our inception. She has played at national and international levels, and has won numerous personal awards for her on field performances. Catriona and her family have been heavily invovled in supporting the Hockey community off the field too. She is admired as being a teamamte who is always there to offer assistance and support anytime someone needs her support.
Amy Arnott - LFH Events Coordinator
My Name is Amy Arnott, I play Capital league 1 for the Old Canberrans Hockey Club. In 2019 I was in a really low place, it wasn’t until a good friend reached out and convinced me to come and return to Hockey. Little did I know I joined a sisterhood I didn’t know I needed. I now have great friends and support both on and off the pitch.
Seyi Onitiri - Director
Seyi is the current Head Coach of the Canberra Chill Men’s side. He is the club president of the Old Canberrans Hockey Club, as well as being a member of the first grade side for over 20 years. Seyi has been instrumental in bringing better mental health awareness to his club and the Hockey community.
Our Partners
