Struggling with mental health issues can be a daunting and disheartening experience, but community-based organisation GROW has helped thousands of Australians with their recovery from mental ill-health through a program of mutual support and personal development.
Greg Lysaght, Senior Program Worker at Capalaba GROW, says that mental health issues can be triggered by a wide range of causes.
“We have people come because of anxiety, depression, relationship breakdowns, being made redundant at work, drug or alcohol abuse, or life not turning out the way they expected. Sometimes people aren’t ready for GROW or may want other sorts of help. GROW has a holistic approach; we’re there to work alongside psychologists and psychiatrists.”
Greg says that the GROW program, which is adapted from the 12-step program developed by Alcoholics Anonymous, works on peer-to-peer support.
“Our groups are run by the GROWers themselves. They meet weekly for two hours; someone gives a personal testimony, and people share problems. They’re given a practical task for the following week, then they come back to report on their progress. Our people don’t come as a diagnosis; they come as an individual.”
Greg says that it can help to know that others have gone through what you’re going through, and that sometimes understanding someone else’s problem can help people understand their own issues.
“Mental health problems can be very isolating, so we build a community. Groups have their own social gatherings and often form lifelong friendships, real connections, and relationships.”
The Capalaba group meets at 12.30pm on Tuesdays at Capalaba Library; there are also online eGrow groups and young adult groups. GROW is completely free. For more information, call 1800 558 268.
