A bunch of blokes will talk openly about mental health, addiction, and overcoming life's hurdles at a men's group gathering on Sunday.
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Proud Wiradjuri man Jeff Amatto will tell his tale at the Murrumbidgee Men's Group, where he will be describing how he broke the cycle of depression, drug addiction, and incarceration.
Mr Amatto said plucking up the courage to speak openly about his mental health was what put him on the path to recovery, and it has kept him clean and sober for nearly 11 years.
"I was living in a dark place, and the only way I could break the lifestyle is to put my hand up, seek help, and acknowledging I can't do this on my own," Mr Amatto said.
"I want to inspire some men and let them know it's okay to speak up when we're feeling vulnerable, because the only way to overcome vulnerability is to seek services and to speak up, because it's not weak to speak."
In other news:
Sunday's speaking event will be the first one the men's group has been able to hold all year due to the coronavirus, and co-founder Jesse Warran-Rigby said it was great to be reunited with the boys again.
Mr Warran-Rigby said the months of lockdown had been hard for many of the blokes in the men's group, many of whom suffered social isolation at the best of times.
"COVID hit hard for me personally, being isolated, and I've suffered mental health issues myself," Mr Warran-Rigby said.
"Everything shut down because of COVID. A lot of telehealth and Skype services came up, but for me personally I didn't like the formality. One-on-one and in-person is the way to do it."
With restrictions easing and Australia opening up again, the men's group will continue holding their regularly scheduled meetings once more.
Co-founder Rhys Cummins said it was good to be back in the community centre again, saying there was no substitute for meeting up in an informal setting and having a good yarn.
"I believe that meeting in-person and linking up in a community setting is the best way to deal with mental health," Mr Cummins said.
"We're just happy to be back getting stuck into it and meeting the men again face-to-face."
The event is free for all members of the public and starts at 11am on Sunday at the Tolland Community Centre, and will be followed by a barbecue.
If you, or anyone you know, suffers from depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts, you can call the Accessline Murrumbidgee hotline on 1800 800 944, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467.