WESTS Scarborough Rugby Union club juniors joined retired Western Force player Matt Hodgson and his teammates Jono Lance and Ben Matwijow at Britannia Reserve, Leederville for the Mental Health Awareness Round this month.
Matwijow refereed while Lance joined the under-10s, who had a bye, on the field for a scratch match against an under-11s side.
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The RugbyWA initiative teaches children that it is okay to say they are struggling or unhappy and to ask for help; there is always someone ready to listen.
Hodgson, an ambassador the LIVIN WA that aims to eliminate the stigma on mental illness and raise awareness for suicide prevention, said the round was vital to improve the perception around mental health.
“Hopefully we can create a pathway where people feel comfortable talking about these sorts of things. To bring awareness to parents is so important,” Hodgson, whose son plays for Wests Scarborough, said.
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