CBH backs community effort

The CBH Group has partnered with the WA Country Football League and suicide prevention group OneLife to bring a series of workshops to rural WA.

During 100% Team Roadshows, former AFL footballers and coaches Heath Black and Chris Connelly will visit towns across WA's wheat-growing region to talk about coaching and mentoring, with a focus on mental health.

Skills learned in the workshops aim to reduce the number of suicides in regional WA by providing mental health coping skills.

CBH chairman Neil Wandel said the grower co-operative group proud to be a part of such a groundbreaking program.

"Combining our partnerships with WACFL and OneLife to bring sport and mental health together in this way is a new idea and we're confident it will really work," he said.

The 100% Team Roadshow sessions with Mr Black and Mr Connelly will incorporate WACFL season information, an on-the-field coaching session, and a talk about mental health and suicide prevention.

"It's important to have role models, like Heath Black and Chris Connolly, who have experienced high-pressure situations, to share the invaluable life skills they've learned," Mr Wandel said.

Onelife Wheatbelt co-ordinator Jane Mouritz says it was a great opportunity to educate people on the risk factors for suicide and signs of someone at risk.

"It takes a whole community to reduce the risk of suicide," she said.

West Australian Country Football League general manager Joe Georgiades said the workshops were vital in helping teams look after each other, on and off the field.

The 100% Team Roadshow will visit towns across the Wheatbelt during February.