Rebel and Lifeline launch campaign ahead of World Mental Health Day

Ahead of World Mental Health Day on 10th October, leading sports retailer, rebel, has launched a new campaign in partnership with Lifeline to support the organisation’s goal of ending suicide in Australia.

rebel, along with its partners, are donating $1 from every product sold to raise funds for Lifeline to continue its critical work.

The campaign recognises the impact that sport can make to the lives of millions of Australians as an essential part of physical and mental wellbeing, with studies showing that being physically active is associated with lower suicidal ideation (1), while meeting physical activity guidelines has shown to have a protective effect on a person’s suicidal risk (2).

Lifeline Chief Executive, Colin Seery, notes “Australians have endured through so much over the past few years, from natural disasters, a pandemic, through to cost of living pressures impacting us all. We’re seeing a significant increase in demand for Lifeline services across the board.

“This partnership not only raises vital funds to ensure we’re supporting Australians 24/7 over the platform which suits them best, it also highlights the incredibly positive impact that physical activity and sport can have on our mental health and wellbeing.”

In support of the campaign, CommBank Matildas stars and rebel ambassadors, Mary Fowler (pictured above) and Ellie Carpenter are sharing the impact that sport has had on their own mental health and wellbeing.

CommBank Matilda and Manchester City star, Mary Fowler, commented, “I know firsthand the immense benefits sport, in particular team sport, can have on your mental health. Through my own challenges, I’ve been grateful to have sport as a key tool in managing my own mental wellbeing. I’m proud to partner with rebel, and use my voice to share my own mental health journey, in the hope that it will help others feel confident enough to do the same.”

rebel Managing Director, Gary Williams, added “Sport can be a transformative tool for our physical and mental health and wellbeing. We’re honoured to help our customers pursue their sporting passions while promoting the vital work that Lifeline does in supporting Australians when they need it most.”

The campaign runs from 4th October – 10th October, with $1 donated from every product sold at a rebel store or online during that period. Customers can also donate to Lifeline in store.

The promotion is an extension of last year’s campaign, where rebel and its partners donated $500,000 to Lifeline to bolster its service capability, helping to answer approximately 12,820 life-saving phone calls.

For further information, visit www.rebelsport.com.au/lifeline

Image top: rebel and lifeline campaign 2022, image above: Still of Mary Fowler from campaign video 

References
1.Vancampfort D, Hallgren M, Firth J, Rosenbaum S, Schuch FB, Mugisha J, Probst M, Van Damme T, Carvalho AF, Stubbs B. Physical activity and suicidal ideation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord. 2018 Jan 1;225:438-448. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.08.070. Epub 2017 Aug 24. PMID: 28858658.

2.Vancampfort D, Hallgren M, Firth J, Rosenbaum S, Schuch FB, Mugisha J, Probst M, Van Damme T, Carvalho AF, Stubbs B. Physical activity and suicidal ideation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord. 2018 Jan 1;225:438-448. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.08.070. Epub 2017 Aug 24. PMID: 28858658.