Adelaide’s SANFL players will wear purple laces in their boots during Sunday’s SANFL Showdown in Kadina, to raise awareness of the importance of mental health research.

The initiative was organised through Club partner Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation which conducts research to better understand mental health and help improve the quality of life of all South Australians.

Breakthrough was recently launched by Flinders Foundation, in a partnership with the South Australian Mental Health Commission, Adelaide Football Club and Flinders University.

Breakthrough will support research to find the causes and triggers of mental illness, help people to recognise the early warning signs, guide the development of new technology, and make sure that mental health treatment is based on the best scientific evidence.

Mental health issues are prominent in country areas, so it is hoped that wearing the purple laces during the SANFL’s only regional game in 2018 will start important conversations.

Adelaide’s match against Port Adelaide at Kadina Oval will get underway at 1.10pm on Sunday and will be broadcast live on Channel 7 Adelaide from 1pm.