Rugby Players Ireland have announced Joey Carbery, as the newest ambassador for Tackle Your Feelings, the wellbeing campaign supported by Zurich and the Z Zurich Foundation.
Carbery is also an official ambassador with Aware and has released a new video in which he discusses the long road to recovery after an ankle injury and how countless setbacks impacted his mental wellbeing.
By speaking up, turning to his support network and taking control of his own mental wellbeing, he hopes to encourage others to take a proactive approach to looking after their mental health, whether it’s on or off the pitch.
Tackle Your Feelings (TYF) was launched by Rugby Players Ireland and Zurich in 2016 and has impacted the lives of people all over the world, with campaign content being viewed in excess of 23 million times.
This latest content is part of an #ImTakingControl campaign which provides people with the tools to ‘Take Control’ of their mental wellbeing using sport psychology and positive psychology principles.
The new video has been created by award-winning Irish animation studio, Kavaleer Productions and looks at the impact Carbery’s injury and other setbacks had on his mental wellbeing and how he struggled, initially, to reach out to those closest to him, be it teammates, family or friends.
He then reveals that it was only by taking that proactive step, speaking to those around him to tell them how he was feeling, that he began to see progress and improvements in his own wellbeing.
He also emphasises the importance of patience when learning to look after and improve your mental health.
“I’m really honoured and excited to be taking part in the Tackle Your Feelings campaign.,” he said.
“I have seen the hugely positive impact TYF and my fellow ambassadors have had on the conversation and subsequent actions around mental wellbeing. Not only at a professional rugby level, but at club, university, and schools too, as well as in different sports and in different countries.”
“I look forward to being a greater support to those around me, on and off the pitch, with the help of Tackle Your Feelings, and hope I can use my experiences as proof that reaching out, turning to those you trust, no matter how bad it may seem, things will improve.”
“Many people experience feelings of anxiety and uncertainty at different points and for different reasons in their life,” added Anthony Brennan, CEO of Zurich Ireland.
“We believe the resilience and determination shown within Joey’s story will help people to understand the benefits of speaking out when it comes to maintaining positive mental wellbeing, especially during periods of isolation and loneliness.”
“The Tackle Your Feelings app gives individuals the resources to help themselves and tools to proactively work on their mental wellbeing.”
“Joey understands and has experienced first-hand, the ups and downs of professional rugby, which can mirror the ups and downs of everyday life.,” said Campaign Manager Hannah McCormack.
“His story offers those going through setbacks the hope and belief that, by having support around you, challenges can be recognised and tackled collectively. We believe Joey’s experiences will also inspire those trying to support someone feeling low or anxious, to understand the best ways they can be a source of strength for their teammate, friend or family member.”
