A community that has your back.
EST. 2019
The Murrumbidgee Men’s Group is a men’s mental health and wellness group based in Wagga Wagga. It’s purpose is to support the men of our community to deal with mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, suicide, PTSD, as well as many more.
MMG aims to do this by creating a safe place for men to feel accepted and listened to whilst providing the men with support from other likeminded men with lived experience. MMG also aims to connect men with services and supports in the region that can assist them.
The MMG has built a supportive and accepting community since our foundation in 2019. All men from all walks of life are welcome to attend MMG, there is no judgement, only support and acceptance.
OUR PURPOSE
Supporting men dealing with mental health issues and life stress.
Creating a safe place for men to feel accepted and listened to.
Connecting men with services and supports that can assist them.
Breaking the stigma associated with mental illness.
Encouraging men to reach out and talk about issues that are affecting them.
Taking a holistic approach to support and recovery.
WHERE DID IT ALL START?
My name is Rhys, and I reside in Wagga Wagga on Wiradjuri Country. I am passionate about advocating for wellness in our community, specifically in regard to mental health.
Throughout my life I have experienced anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and substance abuse. For most of my life I ignored and kept my struggles to myself as I felt as I thought it was weak to speak about my emotions because I wouldn’t be “tough” or “manly enough”. I thought I was alone in what I was going through.
After many years of neglecting my mental health and self-medicating with substances to deal with what I was experiencing, I attempted to end my life in 2018.
This attempt was a pivotal moment in my life as I spent time in the mental health and recovery unit at the hospital. It was in these places where I learnt to act, talk and think differently about mental health. Importantly, I realised that I was not alone when I spoke with other people who were in the units.
In 2019, I co-founded the Murrumbidgee Men’s Group. The purpose of the Murrumbidgee Men’s Group is to address the need for more support for men in our community, create a safe and supportive environment for men to speak about what they may be experiencing and to provide support and hope to others. Helping other people helps me on my recovery journey.
An important part of my recovery has been ceasing my alcohol use. Alcohol had contributed to every one of my mental health declines as it was fueling my depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. Being sober since March 2022 has enabled me to put in the work on myself and to face life with a level of clarity and understanding of myself. Most importantly, sobriety has helped me to be a present and stable person to those that need me, including my two children.
The Murrumbidgee Men’s Group has been an important part of my recovery journey, where I can express how I am feeling and receive support from likeminded men. Through MMG I have met some great men and formed a support network I can lean on through the hard times. Connection is important for mental wellness and MMG helps me just as much as it helps anyone else.
Men, we don’t have to do this alone. Let’s support each other to own our mental health and look after it. “Together we are stronger”.