The announcement comes after the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, revealed there have been more than one million telehealth calls relating to mental health since mid-March, as families and individuals across the country suffer stress from isolation.

The new initiative will see FFA share Black Dog’s extensive range of mental health resources across its digital properties and large football network, as the Australian football family continues to assist the slowdown of the spread of COVID-19 by practicing social isolation and social distancing.

The Black Dog Institute is internationally recognised as a pioneer in the identification, prevention and treatment of mental illness, and the promotion of wellbeing. It produces online resources, tools and apps which aim to reduce the incidence of mental illness and empower everyone to live the most mentally healthy lives possible.

The trio are among 130 Asian icons and officials from 40 Member Associations who have joined forces to raise awareness on health and personal hygiene guidelines put in place by the World Health Organization (WHO) to stop the transmission of COVID-19.

FIFA and AFC Elite referees Christopher Beath from Australia, Japan’s Yoshimi Yamashita, Jordan’s Adham Makhadmeh and Mohammed Abdulla from the United Arab Emirates – all of whom have graced the biggest stages in world football – are the latest to feature in the mass awareness campaign urging fans to follow the best practices outlined by the World Health Organization.

The AFC’s public awareness series has brought together more than 120 Asian icons and officials to share messages of hope and unity while encouraging communities to follow the best personal hygiene practices and guidelines initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Advocating the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines on social distancing, personal hygiene and where applicable, staying at home, the mass awareness campaign has garnered the support of more than 120 Asian icons offering helpful and hopeful reminders amidst these unprecedented times.

The mass awareness campaign, which today marks one month since its launch, has been widely supported by the AFC Member Associations with more than 120 players and officials lending their voices to stop the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak by adhering to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines, while galvanising millions to remain calm and positive during these unprecedented times.

The Myanmar Football Federation (MFF), Chinese national team members and clubs exemplify the AFC’s Social Responsibility message that “Football Cares” by assisting the hospitals, medical teams and people in need.