This time last year, Nathan Murphy was in the thick of AFL finals, about to fulfil his childhood dream of playing in and winning a Grand Final in front of 100,024 people.
Twelve months later, he is at peace with the decision to retire from the game for his health and turning his focus to life outside of football.
Taking the opportunity to reflect on his career and the values and support that have helped him, Nathan is keen to show his support for young people’s mental health.
With World Mental Health Month in October, Nathan is encouraging everyone to get involved with LAP it UP, a charity swim event raising funds to support youth mental health and reduce suicide in rural and regional communities.
“I’d recommend everyone getting involved in LAP it UP because of the amazing benefits it has, not just on mental health but also the connections that can come from it,” he said.
“Getting involved in an event that’s for an amazing cause, you’re also getting out there swimming and sharing something with so many people.”
LAP it UP runs from October 1–28. It’s an annual charity event, which invites participants all around Australia to swim laps for youth mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Funds raised go to supporting the award-winning Live4Life program.
Live4Life has been proven to make communities more knowledgeable, networked and resilient when it comes to youth mental health. It helps young people develop the skills and confidence they need to support their own mental health and that of their peers.
Since its inception in the Macedon Ranges in 2010, more than 24,000 young people in Live4Life communities have received life-changing mental health education, with more than 1400 volunteering as Mental Health Ambassadors.
Moreover, nearly 3000 adults in those communities have trained to support their young people by undertaking accredited Youth Mental Health First Aid courses.
Nathan understands the immense benefits of normalising mental health discussions.
“I just want to encourage people to be vulnerable with other people,” he explains.
“The conversations that it can lead to are just amazing – and so rewarding as well. A problem shared with other people is a problem halved. It can have a huge impact on people’s lives.
“There’s nothing embarrassing about feelings and how you’re actually going. I’ve found just sharing conversations can lead to a lot of positive things.”
Swimming or water play can play an important part in helping support mental health and wellbeing. Whether it’s 10 laps or 100, freestyle, breaststroke, or even doggy paddle, LAP it UP is all about feeling good and doing something awesome for young people’s mental health by supporting the Live4LIfe program.
“To all the people who are considering donating to Live4Life, you’re not just donating to an organisation, you’re donating to young people and their mental health and you’re investing in their future and their life,” Nathan says.
“While it might seem small, it’s also massive. The impact it can have on a person’s life and their future is really exciting.”
The 2023 Grand Final saw Nathan suffer the 10th concussion of his career. “Yeah, that was pretty full on,” he concedes, “going from the best day to the worst day.”
“Since retiring, that’s what I realised. While I was so fortunate to play in front of 100,000 people, I think the best thing that I’ve got from football is just the people that I’ve met.
“Just do it, get out there. The thing about LAP it UP, it’s bringing a lot of people together for this one thing, which I think is amazing. You can connect with people and that’s what sport and physical activity can do.”
Anyone interested in getting involved with LAP it UP can register at www.lapitup.org.au/register/lapitup2024
