Western Bulldogs AFLW captain Katie Brennan wants to help break down stigma of mental health

Western Bulldogs AFLW captain Katie Brennan is a role model and the star forward wants to make a bigger impact off the field by helping to break down the stigma of mental health — a cause dear to her heart.

AFLW star Katie Brennan is co-hosting a 24-hour Sled Push to raise money for Beyond Blue. Picture: Jay Town

Western Bulldogs AFLW star Katie Brennan wants to help break down the stigma of mental health and inspire more conversations about the importance of personal well-being.

The Bulldogs captain is co-hosting a 24-hour Sled Push at her gym, kb.performance, alongside fitness guru Danny Kennedy to raise money for Beyond Blue — an organisation dear to her heart.

“We are holding this event to help raise awareness, raise money and join in the amazing work of many to break down the stigma of mental health,” Brennan told the Herald Sun.

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“It’s something that’s really close to me and my family, with my mum suffering mental health issues for most of her life.

“It’s a really great cause and I am absolutely thrilled to be teaming up with Danny to do our bit.”

Brennan knows how serious mental health battles can be and is passionate about making a difference.

The 26-year-old hopes the 24-hour Sled Push will not only help break down the mental health stigma but also create more discussions and provide others with the courage they need to seek help.

AFLW star Katie Brennan is co-hosting a 24-hour Sled Push to raise money for Beyond Blue. Picture: Jay Town

The event will be held at her gym, kb.performance, from Friday night until Saturday night. Picture: Jay Town

“In life there are many people that you come across that have mental health issues and I think the stigma needs to continue to be broken down,” Brennan said.

“I believe we have made really great steps towards opening up the conversation but there’s still so much work to do.

“When you look at the statistics, there might be a number of people in the facility at one time that suffer from mental health or have been impacted by mental health and I think that’s a beautiful thing to be able to bring those people together and create a conversation and celebrate our time together.

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“For me that’s the major goal.”

It is the second time Kennedy has held the event, raising $10,000 last year alongside Olympian Michael Klim, but hopes to hit more than $15,000 with Brennan’s help.

The sled push requires a 20kg sled with a 20kg weight plate to be moving for the whole 24 hours.

“I wanted to do something that’s extremely challenging and hasn’t been done before,” Kennedy said.

Danny Kennedy raised $10,000 for Beyond Blue last year. Picture: Supplied by Men's Health

“A lot of people struggle at some point with anxiety and depression and I saw a bit of a similarity between pushing a sled and how it’s very similar to the uphill battle you’ve got when you have mental health problems or feel like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders mentally.

“I also know the benefits of physical health and fitness and how it can have a massive positive impact on your mental health. That’s something I’m a massive believer in.”

Kennedy will attempt to push the sled for the entire 24-hour period on his own, as he did last year, taking only small breaks to refresh. That’s where the help of others comes in.

“24 hours was a huge challenge but that’s what I wanted,” he said. “I wanted something that I didn’t know if I’d actually be able to do it and I wanted something that was going to be mentally and physically challenging to have that similarity (to mental health battles).

“I’ll be doing the same again this year and anyone who wants to come down and jump in to help out, they’re more than welcome to.”

Danny Kennedy and Katie Brennan’s 24-hour Sled Push for Beyond Blue kicks off at 6pm on Friday night at kb.performance and will run until 6pm Saturday. Click here for more information and donate via this link.

Originally published as Western Bulldogs AFLW captain Katie Brennan wants to help break down stigma of mental health