Hands Up for Tennis Program

Serving Mental Health Through Community, Connection & Tennis

Hands Up for Tennis is a mental health founded by Head Coach Vicky Lee – a passionate coach and dedicated community advocate – driven by a powerful belief: that sport, and in particular tennis, has the unique ability to uplift, connect, and heal.

This program is about more than just tennis. It’s about creating space for people to reconnect — with their bodies, their minds, and most importantly, with others. Whether it’s rallying on the court, sharing a laugh, or simply showing up each week, participants are reminded that they are not alone.

Through movement, routine, and the steady rhythm of community, Hands Up for Tennis empowers individuals to find moments of relief, build resilience, and rediscover joy.

This is tennis with heart. This is community in action. At Slamin Tennis, we put our racquets up, and our hands out… for each other.

“Because sometimes healing starts not in a waiting room — but on a court, with a racquet in one hand and a new friend by your side.” – Vicky Lee

Understanding Mental Health & Mental Illness

Finding Help, Connection & Support through Tennis

Mental Health touches all of us.

Mental health is about our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing — how we handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions.

Mental illness, on the other hand, is a medical condition that affects the way a person thinks, feels, or behaves. It can make daily life really tough — at school, at work, at home, or with friends.

So, What Can You Do?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, flat or frustrated — talk to someone.

A friend. A GP. A coach.

Don’t carry it all alone.

1. Ask if they’re okay
2. Listen without judgement
3. Encourage them to seek help
4. Check in again

🇦🇺 National Mental Health Support Services

Crisis & Immediate Support

• Lifeline – 13 11 14
24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention.

• Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
24/7 support for depression, anxiety, and mental health concerns.
Website: beyondblue.org.au

• Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Free 24/7 telephone and online counselling for people affected by suicide.

• Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
24/7 support for young people aged 5–25.
Website: kidshelpline.com.au

• 13YARN – 13 92 76
24/7 support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, run by Indigenous counsellors.

Professional & Ongoing Mental Health Support

• Head to Health
A central hub for digital mental health resources, helplines, and referrals.
Website: headtohealth.gov.au

• Headspace
Early intervention mental health support for young people aged 12–25.
Website: headspace.org.au

• Mind Australia
Mental health and wellbeing support including housing, recovery and NDIS services.
Website: mindaustralia.org.au

• SANE Australia
Support for people affected by complex mental health issues.
Website: sane.org

• Your GP (Doctor)
Your local GP can create a Mental Health Treatment Plan to access subsidised sessions with a psychologist or mental health professional through Medicare.

Apps & Digital Tools

• Smiling Mind – Mindfulness and meditation app.
• This Way Up – Clinically-backed online CBT programs.
• MoodMission – Helps manage depression and anxiety through small, evidence-based tasks.
• MyCompass – A self-help tool from Black Dog Institute.

Please Note:

If you’re interested in giving tennis a try, we encourage you to book a Free Trial Session. From there, you can choose to continue with casual (one-off) sessions or term-based enrolment, or simply hire a court casually, play any way you want.