As one of the founders for mental health education in sporting communities, OTLR has the experience of working with athletes from grassroots to elite level. Identifying sport and sporting communities as an avenue to provide vital mental wellbeing education, Founder Jake Edwards, coming from an AFL background, understood the sporting landscape and how important sport is to the Australian community. …

The Eastern Football Netball League (EFNL) is pleased to announce a partnership with Outside the Locker Room (OTLR), an Australian non-profit organisation dedicated to fostering mental well-being and resilience in the sporting community. In a collective effort to address the mental health needs of our members EFNL and OTLR have established a collaborative partnership that will extend support, resources, and …

Kate Macklin – Provisional Psychologist In the lead up to Christmas, many Australians are attending festive events to celebrate the end of the working year with colleagues, sharing joy with family and friends, and hopefully finding some time to relax. From Christmas to New Years, we enjoy the holiday period treating ourselves with great food and company, sitting by the …

This month saw OTLR end the winter season on a high, completing 288 sessions in sporting clubs, businesses and schools since February. This is the highest amount of sessions completed in this time period, with the months of May, June, July and August having record breaking months, seeing 51 sessions in May, 57 in June, 34 in July and 43 …

Matt Piga As a kid I liked to draw. Actually, I think most kids enjoy drawing and then something happens as we grow up and all of a sudden we stop drawing.  Maybe it’s because we start to worry about what other people will think of our drawings, or that we start comparing our drawings to other peoples drawings, or …

Century Cricket Group (CCG) and Outside the Locker Room (OTLR) are thrilled to announce a new partnership in 2023.  The partnership will see OTLR align with CCG to support and educate their network of members, as well as the six Century Cricket Competition Melbourne teams.   This partnership will reach all members of the centre with a vision to Change The …

Handball Victoria (HV) and Outside the Locker Room (OTLR) are thrilled to announce a new partnership launching in 2023.  The partnership will see OTLR align with HV to assist with their vision of fostering growth, development and promotion of handball. This will also support their vision by being able to provide opportunities for all members to gain access to various …

Table Tennis Victoria (TTV) and Outside the Locker Room (OTLR) are thrilled to announce a new partnership in 2023.  The partnership will see OTLR align with TTV to support and educate their network of over 60 affiliated clubs and associations, as well as their 4,000 plus annual individual members.  This partnership will reach both competitive and socially registered players, with …

Queensland Cricket have partnered with Taverners Queensland and Outside the Locker Room (OTLR) to offer quality mental health education and support to Queensland Premier Cricket clubs and affiliates this summer. In a first for Queensland Cricket, the arrangement will apply to all KFC Queensland Premier Cricket competition clubs as well as the Queensland Cricket Umpires’ & Scorers’ Association. OTLR is …

Outside the Locker Room (OTLR) are extremely excited to be partnering up with South Gippsland Umpiring Association (SGUA) heading into 2023 and beyond to help Change the Game for Mental Health in sport.  This partnership will see a positive impact on umpires and other support staff within the organisation. This will be achieved by providing education on mental-ill health and …

Release: Urban Rec Australia, the leading provider of adult recreational sports leagues in the country, held its annual Flag Gridiron tournament on Sunday, 12 February 2023 in honor of the NFL Super Bowl LVII. The tournament hosted two divisions – intermediate and recreational – with six teams each, for a total of 12 teams and about 100 players participating, marking Urban …

OTLR is pleased to join with the AFL as a delivery partner for Movember Ahead of the Game (AOTG) – a mental health literacy and resilience program for young  people that will commence in community football clubs next month.   The AOTG program will be the largest roll out of a mental fitness program in sport globally and aims to  educate …

Outside the Locker Room (OTLR) and the SS&A Ovens and Murray Football & Netball League (OMFNL) are excited to announce a new partnership heading into 2023.  The partnership will see OTLR team up with the OMFNL with the aim of Changing the Game of Mental Health in Sport by connecting their communities through conversation around mental wellbeing and resilience.   OTLR …

Hockey WA is thrilled to announce a partnership with Outside The Locker Room (OTLR) to offer support and education to all clubs and members.  This partnership will see OTLR as Hockey WA’s official Wellbeing Partner for 2023 with a shared vision to educate, support and create more conversations around mental health and wellbeing.  “This is a great opportunity for our organisation …

FedUni WestVic Academy of Sport (WestVic) and Outside the Locker Room (OTLR) are thrilled to announce a new partnership heading into 2023 to help change the game for Mental Health in sport.  This partnership will see a positive impact on WestVic 100+ athletes over 15 different sports and across 12 local council areas throughout the West of Victoria.   OTLR …

Ultimate Victoria and Outside the Locker Room (OTLR) are excited to announce a new partnership heading into 2023 with the goal of provisioning support to athletes with the end result of changing the game for Mental Health in sport.  This partnership will see support given to all athletes under the Ultimate Victoria banner, through Mental Health and Wellbeing Education, as …

OTLR is excited to announce a new partnership with EquestrianWA for 2023. The partnership will see OTLR as the official Wellbeing Partner of EquestrianWA.  The partnership has kicked off with OTLR running a mental health session with the Junior Equestrian Development Squad with plans to run more sessions across their Sport Discipline Performance Squads and Equestrian Clubs in WA. The …

Tenpin Bowling Australia (TBA) and Outside the Locker Room (OTLR) are excited to announce a new partnership heading into 2023.  The partnership will see OTLR initially team up with Tenpin Bowling Australia to support the ‘Mates in March’ campaign, then for Tenpin Bowling Victoria in particular with a plan to potentially roll out the Wellbeing Partnership to the entire Tenpin …

Taken from Hockey Victoria’s Media Release We are thrilled to announce that Outside the Locker Room (OTLR) have teamed up with Hockey Victoria (HV) to offer support and education for all Clubs & Associations state-wide. This partnership will have a strong focus on educating a broad range of participants, including players, coaches, committee members, volunteers and officials. OTLR and Hockey …

Cockburn Basketball Association (CBA) have been a long standing partner with OTLR since 2020 running sessions across their senior mens, womens and NBL 1 divisions and OTLR are proud to be working with them again in 2023. CEO, Tyrone Thwaites said ‘CBA partnered with OTLR as our athlete welfare partner because they had a track record of professional and engaging …

South East Leisure (SEL) and Outside the Locker Room’s (OTLR) are pleased to announce a new partnership heading into 2023.  The partnership will see OTLR team up with SEL’s four venues, Dandenong Stadium, Springers Leisure Centre, Dandenong Oasis and Noble Park Aquatic Centre to continue to change patrons’ lives by connecting communities through conversations surrounding mental health and reach wider …

Outside the Locker Room is proud to continue its long standing partnership with the Brisbane Lions AFL Football Club. Outside the Locker Room is grateful for the support the Brisbane Lions has shown the OTLR program, assisting in marketing and promotion to grassroots clubs across the Greater Brisbane Region. “The Lions have provided OTLR a fantastic platform to expand its …

Outside the Locker Room Charity LTD are collaborating with academics from the School of Psychology & Public Health from La Trobe University to understand the Mental Health Literacy, Help Seeking Behaviour and General Health of communities across Australia to impact social change. Having worked previously together completing a program evaluation for the Outside the Locker Room program, a natural progression …

Danielle Stuart Why does OTLR run sessions in sporting clubs? OTLR’s vision is to make mental health education accessible to everyone. Everyone should have the opportunity to understand more about mental health and feel comfortable to have a conversation with someone. By working with sporting clubs we can educate a large number in the community.  In 2020/21 more than 12.8m …

Volleyball WA Volleyball WA is pleased to announce a new partnership with Outside the Locker Room (OTLR) who share our values of improved health and wellbeing in the community.  OTLR was founded in 2015 by Jake Edwards, with the vision to connect lives and communities through conversation. OTLR focuses on providing critical education for mental health and other social issues, …

Danielle Stuart Now more than ever, we are needing human connection. Connecting with others helps us exchange positive energy and build trusted relationships. We need connection to feel a sense of belonging, feel heard and feel understood. OTLR have partnered with Suitsme, a registered NDIS service provider who can help you find that human connection and support you need, by …

A suicide prevention project that connected with men through sporting clubs in the Great South Coasthas resulted in an ongoing partnership between leading mental health organisation Outside The LockerRoom and AFL Western District. Led by Outside The Locker Room in 2021, the Men’s Health and Wellbeing project was delivered through sporting clubs and sought to establish a foundation for improving …

Todd Morgan I remember it as if it was yesterday. It was a cold and raining day at The Gateway Oval, Lilydale. A young umpire crying and shaking as he had just been verbally abused by a parent on his way back in at half time. The umpire, 14 years old, the game he was umpiring, Under 11’s. No premiership …

Dannielle Cameron and Chrystall Cooper BlackBirds Culture is an Aboriginal and Māori social enterprise offering mental health first aid training and other culturally-appropriate mental health workshops that build resilience and well-being. As founders of BlackBirds Culture, Danni is a Yuibera woman from Yuwi Country of the Birragubba Nation, and Chrys is a descendant of the Tūwharetoa and Maniapoto tribes from Hawkes Bay, N.Z. …

Jackie Frangeskakis Let’s play a game of “Have You Ever…” Have you ever snapped and become irrationally cranky at someone, to then realise you have not eaten all day and your “hangry?” Have you ever been so tired, eaten a meal, then felt better and filled with energy? Have you ever eaten a drive thru take away meal (e.g. McDonalds), …

Mark Maguire The truth is, and I’m not telling any of you what you already don’t know, the odds aren’t in our children’s favor of making it to the top in whatever sport they’re pursuing.  Yet, as a parent, we continue to support our young athlete’s aspirations as if the odds be ever in their favor. Why? If a family …

Kate Vandamme As a therapist, the topic of grief and loss is discussed on countless occasions. Sadly, as COVID-19 continues to rage around the world, grief and loss are being experienced and observed much more than normal.  Grief is not limited to feelings of sadness. It can also comprise anger, guilt, and even regret. This mix of feelings can often …

Kate Vandamme Having spent many years enjoying watching rugby, I was inspired to write a blog dedicated to the skills that rugby players show on the field. Having listed out their skills, I wondered how many of them could be transferred to our everyday lives.  When I started to make a list, I was really surprised at how many of …

Anonymous I’m a spectator watching from the sidelines. Watching and waiting… but what I am watching doesn’t warrant for any cheering or celebration. I am on the sidelines watching someone I love struggle with a mental illness. Mental illness is not obvious, you cannot see it. It sneaks in, hides in the shadows and slowly claws its way in the …

Michael Keady Roll For Growth is a type of group therapy which uses creative storytelling games such as Dungeons & Dragons in order to provide inspirational and educational experiences. These games are amazing because they are incredibly flexible, creative and social. Part of the aim is simply getting young people out of the house and socialising with peers in a …

Simona Weinstein This is a story about how art therapy changed a young boy’s life.  The Setting of Art Therapy  It was an Aussie Summer. It got me thinking how much time we spend in the pool.  The Manifestation of Anxiety   I got a call one day from a mum who was quite distraught. Her primary school aged son was …

During the baseball season a few years ago I asked my eleven-year-old son what do all the kids in the dugout think when their parents urge them on with instructions and encouragement as they are playing the game? He said bluntly, “they don’t like it.” I further pressed him. What about when I call out some last second reminders just …

I’ve been a long time believer that if you surround yourself with positivity and recognise the best of a bad situation you will be able to reshape your mind and thinking. As a sufferer of Depression and Anxiety for over 10 years now, one of the most useful tools I use on a daily basis is positive reinforcement. Showing gratitude …

Written by Aaron Azariah. Aaron is a placement student with OTLR currently completing his Master of Counselling at the University of Notre Dame in Perth, Western Australia. December marks the start of the holiday season, with Christmas preparations kicking into full swing and plans for New Years and any upcoming January holiday getaways taking up large portions of our time. …