Michael Sukkar (Deakin, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In a similar vein to the member for Kingsford Smith, on Saturday I had the privilege of attending a very important match in this year's sporting calendar for my electorate of Deakin. It was the beyondblue Cup hosted by South Croydon and North Norwood football clubs. At some point in our lives most of us have been somehow touched by anxiety or depression, whether directly by experiencing these mental health conditions ourselves, or through supporting a family member or friend. I learned on Saturday that one in eight Australian men will experience depression in their lifetime and one in five will experience anxiety. While men are less likely to experience depression and/or anxiety and women, evidence indicates that men are far less likely to seek help for mental health conditions. That is why events like the beyondblue Cup that I attended on Saturday are so vital. By hosting the event the football clubs not only raised awareness and encouraged people experiencing mental health illness to seek support they also raised funds to help reduce the impact of anxiety and depression on a community.

I wish to congratulate the South Croydon Football Club, led by President Mark Lumsden, and the Norwood Football Club, led by President Mark Etherington, on the efforts with this initiative. The beyondblue Cup was yet another example of why both of these clubs play a central role in our community in Deakin and I am very proud to support them.