R U OK? Day to be marked with free webinar for region's sports coaches

As part of R U OK? Day today, the free one-hour session will give sports coaches the chance to explore a wide range of topics related to mental health.

The session comes as new statistics from Suicide Prevention Australia show suicide rates are worse in regional areas than in city areas.

R U OK? CEO Katherine Newton said sport played a critical role in addressing mental health issues.

"Sport can break down barriers, reduce stigma and provide a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, but for that to happen everyone needs to play their part, none more so than coaches," she said.

"All the advice we've got points to coaches as having the most influential role in grassroots sport and the opportunity to change lives."

Ms Newton said the webinar was part of the organisation's new 'Hey Sport, R U OK?' campaign, which aims to help coaches spot the signs that someone might be struggling.

The campaign also helps guide them through what to say and do in the event one of their athletes, players or sporting colleagues is not okay.

"We are sadly, too often contacted by sporting clubs and associations who want to host games or activities to honour members of their sporting community who have died by suicide," Ms Newton said.

"This has highlighted a further need for a proactive preventative approach and has led us to develop the 'Hey Sport, R U OK?' campaign.

"The audience for these resources is significant as is the potential positive impact because sport talks to all age groups across economic, regional and cultural demographic markers."

To register for the webinar, which runs from 6pm to 7pm visit: sportstg.com or visit: ruok.org/sport