Each August, Whyalla City Council and headspace Whyalla collaborate with local sports and various services, groups and businesses to hold the Mental Health Matters Round. Centacare Catholic Country SA have also become part of the organising committee as of 2026.
The round sees local sport games being held to raise money and awareness for mental health in the Whyalla community, with proceeds going towards local mental health organisations and programs.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can reach out to local services here in Whyalla Listed here.
Click here for a variety of different helplines available with people ready to take your call, listen to you and what is happening for you right now.
In a mental health or medical emergency, dial 000.
Kick Off the Conversation - Mental Health Matters round 2026
In 2026, the round will be delivered through netball, football and soccer, continuing MHMR’s tradition of partnering with local sporting groups to promote mental wellbeing across the community.
Whyalla residents will have plenty of opportunities to connect, get active and support their wellbeing this August with the return of the highly successful Mental Health Matters Round (MHMR).
What began in 2024 as a small, yet impactful event in collaboration with headspace Whyalla and the Whyalla Football League, is now a multi-sport / multi-event initiative bringing the broader community together.
MHMR has grown even further this year – now incorporating soccer and expanding the committee to include Centacare Catholic Country SA – aiming to create even more opportunities for conversation and connection.
More than just a fun-filled calendar of events, MHMR raises money and awareness for mental health in our community, with proceeds going towards local mental health programs – so make sure you get involved!
Activities will be held across local netball, soccer and football, with community organisations, wellbeing services and local clubs coming together to create welcoming spaces for people to connect and have conversations about mental health.
The official 2026 program is below! We look forward to seeing you at the host of events.
You can view each events individual flyer below:
REGISTER FOR SPEAK. SHARE. MOVE. HERE!
Media releases:
Mental Health Matters on and off the court 2025
Whyalla will once again unite for the Mental Health Matters Round on the weekend of 15-16 August, following a successful debut in the Whyalla Football League last year. This year, the Whyalla Netball Association has joined the movement, with plans to expand and include other sports.
The Mental Health Matters Round (MHMR) is a collaborative initiative between Whyalla City Council, headspace and the Whyalla Netball Association, proudly funded by council and headspace and a range of generous sponsors. It aims to raise awareness about mental health in our community while delivering a weekend of sport, clinics and special guest appearances.
Media Releases:
Dress deigned revealed for Mental Health Matters Round
Kicking For a Cause 2024
The Whyalla community got together for the inaugural 'Mental Health Matters Round,' which proved to be a huge success.
The round saw Whyalla Football League (WFL) A-grade players play a round of football in Guernsey’s specially designed by local school students Harper Anderson, Elizabeth Ferguson and Ignatious Champion Hunter.
The game was accompanied by former AFL players Rory Sloane and James Podsiadly. Local services such as Mission Australia, headspace, Whyalla Suicide Prevention Network and Carer’s SA came out to show their support and offered activities for kids. The weekend concluded with a performance by Emma Taylor and Lost in Sounds.
This event was a collaboration between Whyalla City Council, headspace and the Whyalla Football League (WFL); being funded by Wellbeing SA and Whyalla Suicide Prevention Network. A huge thank you to our local sponsors INATT, Santos, Golding, Cleanaway, BOC, Stassi Consulting Engineers, Country Outback Health and Aquest for helping make the event possible.
Media Releases: