LIAM Campbell and Graeme Hanlon may be decades apart in age, but their common experience with mental illness means they have plenty to share with each other.
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They will meet and tell their stories next Thursday at the monthly Embrace Mental Health meetup; Picnic in the Parks.
Organiser Samantha Brunksill, who has bi-polar disorder, said being able to meet with friends provided support and advice that went beyond what medical professionals could give.
“The great thing about this group is that it is peer run, it isn’t about the medical lingo or a list of symptoms,” she said. “If you are going through a life event you can share it, and perhaps someone else in the group has gone through that same life event and can talk about what worked for them.”
19-year-old Mr Campbell has anxiety, and hopes the group will give him a chance to get outside and meet new people.
Mr Hanlon has depression and will go for the first time next week along with his partner who has been regularly attending.
“That helps us because she has to deal with a lot with me,” he said.
Picnic in the Parks will be at the Victory Memorial Gardens next Thursday from 5.30pm, more information phone 0422 207 159.
