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The NRL State of Mind program aims to encourage players, clubs and communities to speak up and seek help if they are experiencing any form of difficulty or difference in their mood.

The ambassadors, including Bulldogs half Moses Mbye, have all nominated themselves for the roles because they want to assist with the program.

One in two Australians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime, with suicide the biggest killer of individuals aged 15-44.

"It's an important message to spread throughout the community, it is a very serious matter, if I can have input to save one person's life I think we're doing a good job," Mbye said.

"It is a growing issue, in the past a number of young players have unfortunately taken their own lives we are here to prevent that.

"There is a stigma out there, especially us men, if we do speak out with a mental issue, we are a bit wussy, it is obviously a big issue.

"It is something that can be avoided with the right treatment and seeking the right help and speaking to the right people, it is something that can be fixed."

It is an issue that is very close to Mbye, and he wants to help.

"A close teammate of mine who shared a unit with me, he battled some personal demons, he fortunately overcame them and he is back on his feet, still playing rugby league, which is a great thing" he said.

"To see a good friend go through that sort of stuff really hit close to home and got me to get involved in this program."

After extensive consultation with coalition partners and junior clubs, an NRL State of Mind grassroots program has also been developed and will be delivered to select junior clubs throughout 2016.

The aim of the program is to: 

• Reduce the stigma around mental health within clubs and communities 

• Increase mental health literacy across grassroots Rugby League clubs 

• Stimulate help seeking behaviours amongst club members and communities 

To learn more about the program and if you or anyone you know would like support, visit www.nrlstateofmind.com.au

2016 NRL State of Mind ambassadors

Moses Mbye – Canterbury Bulldogs
Iosia Soliola – Canberra Raiders
Joseph Paulo – Cronulla Sharks
David Shillington – Gold Coast Titans
Dane Gagai – Newcastle Knights
Suaia Matagi – Penrith Panthers
James Segeyaro – Penrith Panthers
David Tyrrell – South Sydney Rabbitohs
Boyd Cordner – Sydney Roosters
Dale Finucane – Melbourne Storm
Jeff Robson – New Zealand Warriors
Matt Ballin – Wests Tigers
Ruan Sims – Australian Jillaroos
Samantha Hopkin – Touch Football Australia

2015 NRL State of Mind ambassadors – continuing in 2016

Darius Boyd – Brisbane Broncos
Sam Tagataese – Cronulla Sharks
Brenton Lawrence – Manly Warringah Sea-Eagles
Josh Starling – Manly Warringah Sea-Eagles
Tariq Sims – Newcastle Knights
Michael Morgan – North Queensland Cowboys
Luke Kelly – Parramatta Eels
Joel Thompson – St George Illawarra Dragons
John Palavi – New Zealand Warriors
Dene Halatau – Wests Tigers

This article first appeared on NRL.com

Acknowledgement of Country

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs respect and honour the Darug and Eora nations, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.