Athletes in high demand for school mental health program

A mental health program built around elite athletes delivering powerful talks to high school students is preparing for its biggest year yet with close to 100 schools signed up for 2025.

The AIS Mental Fitness Program, which is a joint venture with the Black Dog Institute, opens in a new tab, has seen participation numbers increase by almost 200% since launching six years ago.

Last year, more than 20,000 students sat down with some of the nations’ top athletes to learn about their personal battles and stories of resilience.

Executive General Manager of AIS Performance Matti Clements said the programs’ growing demand is a credit to the athletes.

“When an athlete who is often viewed as invincible shows vulnerability it captures people’s attention. These athletes are helping send an important message that it’s courageous to speak up and seek help,” Clements said.

The program enters a new chapter this year, with 25 national athletes appointed as ambassadors. Among them is Paralympic gold medallist Paige Greco (para-cycling), Australian Diamonds player Amy Parmenter as well as 2024 Olympic stars Hayley Verbunt (rowing) Rhiannan Brown (sailing) and Yale Steinepreis (kayaking).

Two-time Olympic rower Giorgia Patten said she’s eager to prove that no one is immune to mental health challenges.

“I remember growing up and watching the Olympics on TV and thinking those athletes seemed to be bulletproof or superhuman. We aren’t, we are regular people that can struggle through challenging periods of mental health,” Patten said.

Australian alpine skier Samantha Gaul is looking forward to connecting with highschoolers across the country.

Research from the Black Dog Institute reveals more than 75 per cent of mental health issues develop before the age of 25, highlighting the significance of tackling the subject from an early age. 2024 Olympic rower Hayley Verbunt agrees early intervention can have a powerful impact.

“As a young person who found it difficult to balance their wellbeing through the shift from teen to adulthood, I know how valuable access to education and advice on how to support mental wellbeing is,” Verbunt said.

Over the next 12 months the athletes will visit high schools and sports clubs across the country to share evidence-based strategies on how to keep mentally fit.

Australian alpine skier Samantha Gaul said the most important takeaway message will be to not suffer in silence.

“Challenging moments are inevitable, but they are also temporary. The storm doesn’t last forever. We need to teach young people that seeking help is seen as a strength, not a weakness,” Gaul said.

Schools can book a free session via the AIS website here: Mental Fitness Program | Australian Institute of Sport

2025 AIS Mental Fitness Program ambassadors:

• Abbey Willcox, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, Brisbane
• Aiden Frick, Gymnastics Australia, Brisbane
• Ameera Lee, Archery Australia, Sydney
• Amelia Weber, Swimming Australia, Brisbane
• Amy Parmenter, Netball Australia, Melbourne
• Anastasia Typou, Australian Taekwondo, Melbourne
• Anna Cripsey, Australian Sailing, Melbourne
• Christopher McHugh, Volleyball Australia, Adelaide
• Dom Frederico, Rowing Australia, Melbourne
• Ellen Roberts, Softball Australia, Sydney
• Elly Bayes, Gymnastics Australia, Geelong
• Giorgia Patten, Rowing Australia, Perth
• Hayley Verbunt, Rowing Australia, Melbourne
• Maddy Turner, Netball Australia, Sydney
• Paige Greco, AusCycling, Brisbane
• Rebecca Henderson, Australian Athletics, Melbourne
• Rhiannan Brown, Australian Sailing, Tascott, NSW
• Samantha Costin, Australian Sailing, Brisbane
• Samantha Gaul, Snow Australia, Canberra
• Sarah Dally, AusCycling, Adelaide
• Solomon Bushby, Volleyball Australia, Adelaide
• Sophie Jackson, Australian Sailing, Perth
• Sophie Watts, AusCycling, Brisbane
• Yale Steinepreis, Paddle Australia, Gold Coast
• Zane Branco, Australian Athletics, Sydney