Fremantle Dockers forward Michael Walters is appointed as Western Australia’s first suicide prevention ambassador.
Mental Health Minister Helen Morton announced the 24-year-old’s appointment today as part of the State Government’s suicide prevention strategy One Life.
“It’s such an honour for me to be a part of One Life,” Walters said.
“It really struck home when I heard that the Indigenous population is above average in Western Australia for suicide.”
Walters said he was personally touched by suicide a couple of years ago when a close friend, whom he considered to be like a brother, took his own life.
“That’s the reason I want to be a part of this and why I’m so excited and thankful they chose me,” he said.
“I just want to get out to the community, the schools and do what I can to stop it.”
Walters said the importance of encouraging people to talk through their problems could not be overstated.
“If you do feel like something’s going on, make sure you speak out, especially with Indigenous men,” he said.
“There’s always a stigma of trying to be strong and be a strong man but the thing is to speak out no matter who you speak to: friends, family, whoever. Just speak out and get things off your chest.”
Walters played eight games last year due to a serious ankle injury.
He returned to training early in preparation for the 2015 season.
He said he was looking forward to mentoring some of the team’s younger players.