WAGGA Tigers will raise awareness for mental health with R U OK? day at Robertson Oval on Saturday.

Tigers’ netballers will wear yellow socks and footballers will don yellow arm bands as the club looks to raise awareness and funds for mental health when they play Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong.

Tigers footballer Nick Munro lost a great mate to suicide last year and wants to use his experience to help others.

“You never expect something like a suicide to hit so close to home but when it does happen it certainly makes you reevaluate your own mental health and wellbeing,” Munro said.

“After experiencing all this recently and seeing the effect it has on those closest to you, it’s made me much more willing to speak out about any issue I may be dealing with rather than trying to tackle it alone.

“R U OK day is a fantastic cause that urges anyone in the same situation to also speak up, and to know that they will be heard. At Wagga Tigers we are pushing this culture more and more, to help remove the stigma that is associated with mental health.”

Tigers players will be doing the rounds on Saturday with a donation bucket, while proceeds of a raffle will also go to the charity R U OK?

Wagga Tigers netball player and committee member Kate Roberts said it was a great charity to support.

“Having bad mental health affects more people than you think, we want to encourage people to talk and hope the whole community can get involved,” Roberts said.

Wagga Tigers president Anthony Lyons said it is an important issue for the club to tackle.

“We’re asking our football and netball players to look around their teams, talk to a team mate and ask ‘R U OK?” Lyons said.

“You never know what’s going on in people’s lives or what their struggling with, asking them the simple question are you okay can have a huge impact.”

• If you or someone you know need help – call Lifeline – 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467, Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 or MensLine Australia – 1300 78 99 78.