I’m looking for help
I’m trying to help a loved one
Trevor* started attending the Men’s Bush Trips with Stephen Morrison, HOPE Aboriginal Cultural Practice and Capability Manager, just after they started. He says the trips have helped him on his recovery journey, which has been complex and marked by some serious health challenges.
“[A while ago] I had a heart attack and then surgery. I was having drugs, alcohol and smoking. I needed to stop. I have stopped and now I’m feeling better and better. It’s good to have my health and my mind.
“A few years back I learned about the Men’s Bush Trips and so I went along to a few. My favourite was going out to Lake Gwynne. Me and some of the boys would go out together, I built a strong group of friends.
“We would go out there and talk about things. We talk about suicide, talk about health, share about alcohol and drugs, our life. It’s much better when you talk about mental health. I went out but I didn’t always listen. Now I listen and I learn.
“I learned a lot. One thing I learned was not to touch smokes or alcohol. [Stephen] would talk about all these things, how they affect you mentally. I’ve seen that that is true.”
“[Since] I had my surgery, I tell people what I know when I go on the bush trips. I talk about it out there, tell them that I’ve seen what Stephen says is true.”
Building a support network
“At one time things were really bad and I needed encouragement. I feel better when I talk and share, it helps when I’m stressed out, it helps me let it out when I feel bad. I feel good when I go home from the trip.
“They say you must go in this direction, and I’m doing much better. They encourage me to do more.
“I know drink is no good. I would have too much drink and it would affect my mind and I would do silly things and end up in trouble, end up in jail. They give me encouragement, they help me work to keep straight.
“I’m doing so much better. We don’t just come for the feed, we come to learn. They encourage us, they tell us we should only be spending our money on good things to help myself. Not to spoil myself with drugs and alcohol – that just creates big problems.
“I’ve been able to make that change because of the men’s group. I could not have done it myself. I’ve had people to help me when I feel bad or when I’m down.
“I still have a community with them – even though I have left the trips. We still ask after each other. Not too long ago I found some of the boys who had left rehab, I brought them home, gave them a bed to sleep on. I took care of them. We take care of each other now.
“Also I love the Men’s Bush Trip Booklet. I sent it [overseas] to my father – he loved it. I started telling him stories about the trips and talking about what we talk about. Now he takes that booklet and he tells the stories over there, the stories and the talking goes on.”
* Not real name.
Hope Community Services runs Men’s Bush Trips as part of the services offered through Mara Pirni Healing Place in Kalgoorlie.
