For the past two years NRL Community has been using its voice, in consultation with Australia's leading health experts, to raise awareness of mental health issues.
The 'Plebs, Pros and Personalities 24hr Suicide Prevention Run' is an event held to raise as much money, and more importantly awareness, for mental health and suicide prevention. Celebrities, athletes, NRL players and members of the community will participate in a treadmill run over 24 hours this weekend.
The event will commence at 6pm on Friday, May 8 with the treadmills running non-stop through to 6pm, Saturday May 9.
The 24-hour run is not about who can run the furthest, but is about encouraging each other to push through the pain and help each other out when things get difficult. Over the two years it has been held, the run has grown from two to 13 treadmills, one to three locations and has raised more than $150,000 for Suicide Prevention Australia.
Some of the people participating in this year's run are players and former players Nathan Hindmarsh, Justin Horo, Willie Mason, Anthony Watmough and Braith Anasta. They will be joined by run ambassadors Matt Cooper, Shaun Timmins, Joe Galuvao, Ben Ross and Brett Kimmorley, and NRL Head of Football, Todd Greenberg.
Mental illness doesn't discriminate. In Australia, one in two people are affected by mental illness, and at the crisis end, suicide is the largest killer of individuals aged 15-44. It is Australia's single biggest health issue and, as Australia's biggest sporting community, the NRL can and should play a pivotal role in improving the outcomes for those affected.
For more information, and to participate in the Suicide Prevention Run, visit: ppp4spa.com.au
