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A new mobile phone app aims to encourage West Australians to stay mentally healthy by providing information and guidance on how to ward off mental illness and get more out of life by staying physically, mentally and socially active.

Devised by Curtin University's Mentally Healthy WA in partnership with The University of Western Australia's Centre for Software Practice and the WA Department of Sport and Recreation, the Act-Belong-Commit App allows users to find local activities and events and rate their involvement in mentally healthy activities.

Mentally Healthy WA campaign manager Amberlee Laws said it was important to bring Act-Belong-Commit into the digital age and extend the mentally healthy message to iPhone and iPod Touch users in WA.

Associate Professor David Glance, Director of the UWA Centre for Software Practice, said the ABC app provided a convenient way to access important mental health information from Mentally Healthy WA and details about clubs from the Department of Sports and Recreation.

"It is our ongoing aim to support people in their efforts to help themselves stay fit and mentally healthy," Professor Glance said.

Department of Sport and Recreation Director General Ron Alexander said there was a strong positive link between belonging to a sport or recreation club and good mental health.

"Being part of a sport or recreation club not only keeps you physically healthy, it also provides a support network and connection to your community," Mr Alexander said.  "In clubs, people look out for their friends and team mates, and generally support one another, not just on the field.

"This free app uses information from a great resource developed by the Department of Sport and Recreation called ClubsOnline, which lists details of more than 2900 sport and recreation clubs from across Western Australia."

To download the app, search for ‘Act Belong Commit' in the iTunes App Store, or follow the link on the Act-Belong-Commit website homepage.

Media references

Associate Professor David Glance (UWA Centre for Software Practice)  (+61 8)  6488 4706
Amberlee Laws (Mentally Healthy WA, Curtin University)   (+61 8)  9266 1709
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783