CEO's Message

Depression continues to affect many people in our communities. Male or female, young or old, rich or poor, black or white it makes no difference because depression doesn’t discriminate. Even our best athletes are susceptible to the illness.

In the beginning The Sunrise Foundation was created to develop and deliver purpose built preventative education programs addressing depression for elite athletes across all codes. In the short time we have been operational we realised very quickly that depression has far reaching implications in every walk of life not just elite sport.

As a result we have broadened the potential reach of our education programs to now include athletes across all levels including the elite, schools both primary and secondary and rural Australia.

Our aims are to educate recipients about depression, increase the level of awareness and acceptance of mental illness as well as improve help seeking strategies while promoting the appropriate pathways available to seek help.

We are an education provider. We do not advise medically nor do we treat or counsel people who might be experiencing difficulties. We encourage you to make contact with the appropiate service providers listed under our seeking help section.

There is a real need for education-based programs around depression in sport and the community. As a community we need to recognise that while an individual might be performing well in their chosen sport or career they may be experiencing difficulties in other area's of their life.

There is no better vehicle than sport to begin to educate ourselves and the community about depression.

Elite athletes are no different to any other member of the community and no amount of material possessions or wealth can guarantee that they themselves won’t experience these types of conditions. “Depression doesn’t discriminate”.

It is a responsibility that everyone involved with The Sunrise Foundation is passionately committed to and we look forward to the challenge ahead.

Wayne Schwass
Chief Executive Officer