Murrumbidgee Men's Group

Some feedback from our mental health lived experience presentation that we delivered to the staff from the Wagga City Council recently:

“The hard honest truth about mental health”

“How well the message was presented and the fact that these issues that were once shunned are now being respectfully talked about”

“The honesty and relatability”

“The pure honesty and speaking from the heart”

“Rhys & Craig understand problems men face in regional areas. Their ability to connect & share brings people together & break down the stigma associated with mental health”

“The presentation from Rhys and Craig was informative and engaging. It put important messages and information in simple terms for us and provided the tools and resouces that we can pass on to others or may need ourselves”

If we can make a difference in one persons life through these talks, whether it be awareness for themselves or something they can take home to their families, it makes it all worth it 🙌🏼.

Sobriety and mental wellness..

A huge part of my recovery motivation is my family.

I don’t want my kids to see me self medicate with alcohol thinking that is how you deal with your mental health. Bouncing in and out of mental health facilities and not be present in their lives. I don’t want them to think that is the norm.

I want to be the best dad I can be, I’m far from perfect but sobriety enables me to do the best I can for my children with a clear head.

My children deserve a mentally well parent and it’s up to me to break the cycle. ✊🏼🙌🏼

(Old pic but one I hold close to my heart)

Rhys

Amazing meet up today at the Calvary Drug and Alcohol Centre!

To have 20 men in one room normalising mental health conversations and focusing on recovery was powerful.

Always great linking up with the men in the centre. Thanks to Calvary Riverina Drug and Alcohol Centre for all that they do 🙌🏼.

Our next meet up will be on the 30th of June and the Kooringal Community Centre 👍🏼.

A reminder we are on today at the Calvary Drug and Alcohol Centre. 😊

MMG are meeting up this weekend at the Calvary Drug and Alcohol Centre.

We are looking forward to connecting with the men of the Centre!

This meet up is open to the men of the community that wish to attend MMG also 😊

MMG are meeting up this weekend at the Calvary Drug and Alcohol Centre.

We are looking forward to connecting with the men of the Centre!

This meet up is open to the men of the community that wish to attend MMG also 😊

Be kind to yourself 🙌🏼

Today Rhys and Craig delivered our lived experience mental health presentation to the outdoor staff of the Wagga City Council as part of their men’s health week activities.

It was an amazing opportunity to share with the men our mental health journey, talk about feeling emotions, identifying early warning signs, triggers and where to seek help if they are struggling.

We are very grateful for the platform to have these much needed raw conversations as men so we can begin to break down those barriers and remove stigma associated with men’s mental health.

A thank you to the MPHN Community Grants for supporting us with our lived experience talks. 🙌🏼

If you were struggling today and just got by, that’s ok. It’s ok to have those days, we just need to make sure we don’t stay there.

It’s also impossible to stay in the green, we often flow between struggling and thriving.

Exercise, diet, mindfulness, connection and opening about our mental health are some things that can help bring us up to the green.

Look after yourself and those around you 🙌🏼

This morning Chris, Craig and Michael from MMG attended the Wagga Rotary Club breakfast for men’s health week.

The guys shared with the club about who we are and what we do and Chris shared some of his lived experience journey.

Thank you for having us, we appreciate the opportunity to share and create conversations around mental health in our community 🙌🏼

From the mental health battles of 2 everyday local blokes, The Murrumbidgee Men’s Group was founded to help others who may be doing it tough.

The foundation of MMG was built around providing a safe place for men to speak about their feelings, emotions and struggles. To let men know that they aren’t alone and there are many men out there who also are going through similar situations with their mental health. To normalise mental health. To be proactive rather than reactive.

If MMG makes a difference in one persons life we have served our purpose. Thank you to everyone who has supported MMG in one way or another, from the men who attend our meet ups, the people who share our group with others, the people who have bought our mechandise and the ones who have donated to our group. You are all appreciated and it shows the strength of our community! 🙌🏼

What’s something you have changed that has been positive for your mental health?

In recovery, we need HOPE. Having hope that things can and WILL get better can help to get us through the hard times. 🙌🏼

One day at a time 🙌🏼

If you need mental health support, here are some services that can help you:

Beyond Blue: Talk to a trained mental health professional any time of the day or night. Calls are confidential. They will listen, provide information and advice and point you in the right direction to seek further support. 1300 22 4636

Lifeline: 24-hour crisis support telephone service. Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis support and su***de prevention services. 13 11 14

Accessline: A free phone service staffed by mental health practitioners and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 1800 800 944

MensLine Australia: Offers free professional 24/7 telephone counselling support for men with concerns about mental health, anger management, family violence (using and experiencing), addiction, relationship, stress and wellbeing. 1300 789 978

In an emergency dial 000.

Some of these services offer SMS or online chat also. At times, we can get caught up in our own thoughts and emotions. Talking to someone can help us overcome these thoughts and to ride the wave through to the other side.

Take care everyone..

Thanks to the men who came to today’s group! A common theme was using our lived experience to give back and help others. It’s always great seeing men share, open up about their struggles and breaking down barriers around mental health.

For our next meet up we will be heading back to the Calvary Drug and Alcohol Centre on the 16th of June to visit the men in there. This is also open to men of the community. 🙌🏼

A reminder we are on today!

Come down and say g’day 😁

MMG are meeting up this Sunday at the Ngurra Hub in Ashmont.

Hope to see you there 😊

It’s been a difficult period for me the last few weeks. A couple of weeks ago I lost my dad. Grief is a very difficult path to navigate. I’ve needed to use many techniques I’ve learnt along the way to get through this time.

Using my support network. It’s easy for me to get stuck inside my head, ruminate and isolate from everyone. Speaking with friends and family has helped me deal with the emotions I have been feeling and normalises them. Engaging with a psychologist has helped me process those emotions and navigate the situation.

Staying active. Running and walking has helped me immensely. Exercise has many benefits to our mental health as it releases feel good chemicals in our brain. Running and walking is a form of mindfulness where I can distract myself and concentrate on what I can see, hear and feel.

Maintaining my sobriety. It’s hard to sit with uncomfortable emotions and face them head on, but facing them and feeling them is how we process them. Drinking would make a difficult situation so much more difficult. When I’m sober my mind is clear, which helps me to make better decisions and manage my mental health.

I know if I continue to practice what I preach, things will be ok. One day at a time, even one step at a time if needed. 🙌🏼

Rhys

MMG are meeting up this Sunday at the Ngurra Hub in Ashmont.

Hope to see you there 😊

Head to Health 1800 595 212

(Instagram)

Great meet up today!

Thanks to Greg from Head 2 Health who spoke about their service, peer workers and their lived experience.

There was a focus on realising where you may be sitting on the mental health continuum and taking the right steps to regain the balance.

Our next meet up will be on the 2nd of June at the Ngurra Hub in Ashmont.

💯

Want to support MMG but not sure how?

Give this a share and encourage your friends and family to like our page so our message can reach far and wide and we can continue to break down those barriers around mental health 🙌🏼.

Thank you everyone for your support 😊

A reminder MMG are meeting up tomorrow at the Kooringal Community Centre.

All men from all walks of life are welcome. There is no judgement at MMG, only support from some great blokes.

Hope to see you there 👌🏼

MMG are meeting up this Sunday at the Kooringal Community Centre, 11am-2pm.

If you need support, a chat or to make some new social connections, come down and say g’day!

Hope to see you there 👌🏼

For anyone who may be having issues with substance use, Bob D is someone who is great to listen to.

Even if substance use isn’t an issue for you, the things he talks about can help you in various aspects of life.

Bob D. - AA Speaker - "A Shining Example of Recovery from Alcoholism" The best AA speaker I have ever heard, Bob D., shares his story in a touching and thought-provoking way. I love how he masterfully articulates what it is li...

MMG are meeting up this Sunday at the Kooringal Community Centre, 11am-2pm.

If you need support, a chat or to make some new social connections, come down and say g’day!

Hope to see you there 👌🏼

One day at a time..
💯🙌🏼