A men's health group is helping blokes who are doing it tough get back on the road to wellness by taking a detour off the beaten track.
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Statistics show that as a group, men do it toughest when it comes to mental health challenges.
One in eight men will experience depression in their lifetimes and according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, about 75 percent of people who committed suicide in the country last year were men.
So what makes men so susceptible to mental health issues? Brett Ellenport and Andrew McSweeney believe it is their tendency to clam up, attempting to soldier on rather than talking about their feelings.
In 2017, the two men founded Gathering Men - an organisation which aims to empower men to confront and better manage their emotions by connecting them to nature, and other men.
The Melbourne based organisation encourages men to ditch technology alcohol and other vices for a weekend in order to gather on Country in a safe, confidential space where they can share and heal.
"In essence, we're teaching men the tools they need to open their hearts and minds. We're guiding them on how to release what no longer serves them," Mr Ellenport said.
74-year-old Sale resident Hans Wilgenburg has attended several gatherings through the organisation.
Hans said he has been involved in a number of group environments with both men and women.
He said he thinks group discussions are an important source of "personal growth", helping to maintain mental, spiritual, physical and emotional wellbeing.
"Life is about dealing with life's experiences and dealing with the repercussions of those experiences. You never stop learning about yourself and others," he said.
Hans said during the retreat, participants were asked to spend quiet reflective time in nature throughout the day. During the evening, the group would form a circle, where they would take turns relating their feelings and perspectives they had gained during their periods of reflection.
He said he found being on Country with an Aboriginal Elder to be a profound experience, causing him to reflect on things he had never really contemplated on such a deep level.
"The first thing he asked was for people to stand in line from eldest to youngest," he said.
"I found myself standing at one end of the cue, which brought me to an awareness that I too was in the category of being an elder.
"It was a bit confronting... but I think it's an important role to fulfil in one's self, because that is a part of ageing."
Life is about dealing with life's experiences and dealing with the repercussions of those experiences. You never stop learning about yourself and others.
- Hans Wilgenburg, 74, Sale
The group holds four weekend retreats a year - two in spring and two in autumn. Meetings take place on sacred Djarra-Dja-Dja-wurrung Country near Daylesford.
It also offers regular face-to-face gathering circles in both Melbourne and regional Victoria, events for schools and community groups, personalised coaching and mentoring.
In addition, the group supported the launch of a new Gathering Women Group - which will be run by two female coordinators and a number of Indigenous Aunties. Its first gathering took place in November.
For more information click here or phone 0414-827-556.
Need to talk?
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Beyondblue: 1300 22 4636
- Red Nose Grief and Loss Support Line: 1300 308 307
