General News
8 October, 2024
Rural men open up at mindful talking circle
A group designed to encourage rural men in the Wimmera to have conversations and improve their emotional literacy is going from strength to strength.
Since its inception in February, up to 20 men have been attending the circle in Horsham each week - and they are seeking more.
Founder of The Outback Mind Foundation (TOMF), Aaron Schultz, said men in the Wimmera had been educated to work and support the economy but not to look after their mental wellness.
"Crisis support is stretched but guys don't need to be getting into crisis support if they get the right educations and tools," Mr Schultz said before the group was launched.
"It has been ongoing for generations, and I have watched it.
"A few years ago I was the last guy to see a mate of mine, and it's not a problem that's going away."
TOMF is a health promotion charity focusing on assisting and empowering men who live regionally to be proactive in looking after their mental wellness.
It works towards not only educating men to improve their health mentally but also reducing the risk of men committing domestic and family violence.
Mr Schultz's concept of chat circles began when he noticed a big gap in education and prevention in mental health.
After beginning in Queensland, where Mr Schultz lives, the idea made its way back to his home town of Horsham at the start of the year.
"The big common denominator in coming from Horsham is guys there supress their emotions, they don't express their emotions, and that leads to poor mental health outcomes - I was one of them myself," Mr Schultz said.
"I was brought up in Horsham and always worried about what people thought, the stigma."
Mr Schultz said it was a stigma that men were still troubled by today.
"There are guys who have waited outside (of the meeting) four or so times before they have had the courage to come in, but once they have come in they have seen themselves in other people," he said.
"There are a lot of guys who are having issues with relationships and they chat about that.
"It gives them strategies and tools from what they learn from others by listening to help them with their awareness around their own relationship."
Mr Schultz said he had had calls from guys in Horsham who were high risk for suicide and he had been able to talk through it with them.
"There are men who come along who are in that category who just need to chat about that stuff," Mr Schultz said.
"It is the norm to supress - it goes to alcohol, it goes to anger - so being able to talk about your emotions and feelings develops that fitness mentally.
"It's something we haven't been aware of.
"That feeling of fear has been driven down through generations and it's time to change that.
"Guys being able to seek compassion, support and understanding from others is key.
"It's important and unique and that is the purpose: to have the narrative shifted in regard to how we communicate going forward.
"Having deep, meaningful conversations is what it's all about."
The circle is held every Wednesday from 7pm at Function Lifestyle, 22 Hamilton Street, Horsham.