PAUL Sculthorpe is calling for support for a rugby league initiative to save lives.

This week's round of First Utility Super League matches has been dedicated to State of Mind, the charity set up to raise awareness of mental issues in the wake of the suicide of former Wigan and Great Britain hooker Terry Newton in 2010.

Sculthorpe was a close friend of Newton and he also witnessed the dire effects of depression when his younger brother Danny contemplated suicide after his life spiralled out of control when Bradford released him from his contract after he suffered a serious back injury, also in 2010.

Danny is now an ambassador for the charity and Paul is also throwing his weight behind the fourth State of Mind round.

"Our kid is obviously heavily involved - he benefited from what they do - and I'm a big supporter of it," said the former St Helens and Great Britain loose forward and two-time Man of Steel.

"They're spreading the word that men should be able to talk about their problems.

"If a big daft rugby league player who is supposed to be unbreakable can speak about mental illness and depression, then anybody can.

"What they're doing is fantastic and it's saved lives, which is priceless."

Last year's themed round saw more than 5,500 mental fitness cards handed out to fans, with more than 4.3milllion people viewing mental fitness messages sent out through State of Mind's player ambassadors.

State of Mind co-founder Dr Phil Cooper said: "Just chatting and spending time with someone can make the world of difference.

"It's not about trying to fix people or trying to solve their problems for them. Often, it's just about being there, showing you care and listening without making judgements.

"This year, State of Mind is focused on looking out for your mates, colleagues and family."

The latest State of Mind round gets under way on Thursday when Warrington host Wigan while reigning champions St Helens travel to leaders Leeds on Friday for a Challenge Cup semi-final dress rehearsal.

Before then, round 11 will be finally completed when Hull KR host Salford on Tuesday and Hull FC go to Wakefield on Wednesday for fixtures rearranged due the four clubs' involvement in the the fourth round of the cup in April.

Tuesday's game at the KC Lightstream Stadium will mark the 550th career appearance of Salford's veteran prop Adrian Morley, another State of Mind ambassador.

Morley began his career at Leeds in 1995 and also went on to play with distinction for Sydney Roosters and Warrington before joining his home-town club for the start of the 2014 season.

The 38-year-old Morley is expected to be part of an unchanged Salford team but Hull KR coach Chris Chester rings the changes for his side's second game in six days.

Prop Tony Puletua, who is on loan from Salford and according to Red Devils owner Marwan Koukash is still being paid by them, cannot play against his parent club while Chester rests leading try scorer Ken Sio, acting captain Tyrone McCarthy and French hooker John Boudebza.

Matty Marsh, Greg Burke, James Green and Aaron Ollett come into the Rovers squad as part of Chester's rotation policy.

A third successive league victory for the home side would lift them out of the bottom four but a Salford win would keep alive their flagging top-eight hopes.