A mental health program built around elite athletes delivering powerful talks to high school students is preparing for its biggest year yet with close to 100 schools signed up for 2025.
The AIS Mental Fitness Program, which is a joint venture with the Black Dog Institute, has seen participation numbers increase by almost 200% since launching six years ago.
Yale Steinepreis, Paddle Australia, Gold Coast
Last year, more than 20,000 students sat down with some of the nations’ top athletes to learn about their personal battles and stories of resilience.
Executive General Manager of AIS Performance Matti Clements said the programs’ growing demand is a credit to the athletes.
“When an athlete who is often viewed as invincible shows vulnerability it captures people’s attention. These athletes are helping send an important message that it’s courageous to speak up and seek help,” Clements said.
The program enters a new chapter this year, with 25 national athletes appointed as ambassadors. Among them is Paralympic gold medallist Paige Greco (para-cycling), Australian Diamonds player Amy Parmenter as well as 2024 Olympic stars Hayley Verbunt (rowing) Rhiannan Brown (sailing) and Yale Steinepreis (kayaking).
“I was keen to be involved in this amazing program because I see a real need for programs like this in our society and it is such a privilege to partner with the AIS and the Black Dog Institute to do this,” Steinepreis said.
“It’s incredibly special to be able to give back to the communities that have shaped me into the person and athlete I am today, whilst also having a platform for meaningful conversations and raising awareness about real and relevant topics for today’s teenagers.
“I hope to make a difference in this space by contributing to the movement to increase mental health literacy, promote the importance of connection, and reassure teenagers that what they or their friends might be feeling is okay.
“My goal is to share strategies and my lived experiences so that I can help teenagers support themselves and each other effectively,” she said.
Schools can book a free session via the AIS website here: Mental Fitness Program | Australian Institute of Sport
2025 AIS Mental Fitness Program ambassadors:
- Abbey Willcox, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, Brisbane
- Aiden Frick, Gymnastics Australia, Brisbane
- Ameera Lee, Archery Australia, Sydney
- Amelia Weber, Swimming Australia, Brisbane
- Amy Parmenter, Netball Australia, Melbourne
- Anastasia Typou, Australian Taekwondo, Melbourne
- Anna Cripsey, Australian Sailing, Melbourne
- Christopher McHugh, Volleyball Australia, Adelaide
- Dom Frederico, Rowing Australia, Melbourne
- Ellen Roberts, Softball Australia, Sydney
- Elly Bayes, Gymnastics Australia, Geelong
- Giorgia Patten, Rowing Australia, Perth
- Hayley Verbunt, Rowing Australia, Melbourne
- Maddy Turner, Netball Australia, Sydney
- Paige Greco, AusCycling, Brisbane
- Rebecca Henderson, Australian Athletics, Melbourne
- Rhiannan Brown, Australian Sailing, Tascott, NSW
- Samantha Costin, Australian Sailing, Brisbane
- Samantha Gaul, Snow Australia, Canberra
- Sarah Dally, AusCycling, Adelaide
- Solomon Bushby, Volleyball Australia, Adelaide
- Sophie Jackson, Australian Sailing, Perth
- Sophie Watts, AusCycling, Brisbane
- Yale Steinepreis, Paddle Australia, Gold Coast
- Zane Branco, Australian Athletics, Sydney
