GREATER PARTICIPATION IN SPORT A PATHWAY TO BETTER MENTAL HEALTH FOR AUSTRALIANS

By David Jones | Public Affairs and Policy Manager, Business Sydney | Mob: 0448 285 996

Australians have a reputation for being a nation of sports lovers but the number of young people participating in sport has fallen to a worryingly low level, a forum on sport’s role in improving mental health was told today.

The forum, jointly hosted by Business Sydney, Lifeline Australia and Sport NSW, was told that only 23 per cent of children aged five to 15 were achieving the minimum daily level of physical activity to promote positive health and well being.

Business Sydney Executive Director Paul Nicolaou said the community should be concerned that physical activity had ceased to be a priority for many young people.

“There is every reason to fear children are missing out on opportunities to be involved in sport because of the distraction of screen time on social media sites,” Mr Nicolaou said.

“We can only hope that the recently introduced ban on social media access for the young would see a commensurate increase in participation in sport and time spent on physical activity.

“However there are things that all tiers of government can do to make sure children have every chance to be physically active.

“An obvious measure is to invest in all-weather surfaces so that community playing fields can be available for use year round so that kids don’t miss out on their sport even after extreme rain events.”

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and Australian Bureau of Statistics research shows that in Australia: 

• A majority of children aged 2–14 did not meet both the physical activity and screen-based activity components of the guidelines for physical activity
   
• 83 per cent of adolescents aged 15–17 did not meet the physical activity component of the guidelines; 80 per cent did not do enough muscle-strengthening activities
   
• 37 per cent of adults aged 18–64 did not meet the physical activity component of the guidelines; 73 per cent did not do enough muscle-strengthening activities
   
• 57 per cent of adults aged 65 and over did not meet the physical activity component of the guidelines; 84 per cent did not do enough muscle-strengthening activities

A special thought leadership paper produced for today’s forum on ‘Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing Through Sport’ makes a strong case that participation in sport can improve mental health and reduce the risk of suicide.

Writing in a foreword to the paper, Lifeline Australia Chair Professor Steve Moylan said that preventing illness was a far preferable outcome for individuals and the community.

“Creating an environment that allows as many people as possible to participate in safe, inclusive, community-based sport can contribute to improved mental health across the community and to long-term economic sustainability,” Prof Moylan said.

Stuart Hodge, Chief Executive Officer of Sport NSW, said research had consistently shown that participation in sport, physical activity and recreational programs can significantly improve individual and community health and wellbeing.

“The benefits extend beyond physical fitness to include increased feelings of belonging, purpose and routine, and opportunities to develop life and work skills,” Mr Hodge said.

“For many, especially those impacted by socioeconomic disadvantage, older adults, new migrants and people living alone, sport provides a crucial social outlet, offering regular opportunities for interaction, inclusion and connection.”

The thought leadership paper included a seven-point plan to make the most of the potential benefits of increased participation in sport and physical activity.

The paper concluded with a call to action for government leaders and local councils to make sure facilities and infrastructure were in place to support increased participation.

DOWNLOAD THE SEVEN POINT PLAN HERE

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