By Eleanor Wilson
Blind Bight resident Anne is passionate about her community.
She volunteers with her local CFA Brigade and dedicates her time each week as the organiser of Cranbourne’s GROW peer support group.
However, just 12 months ago she had spent a year in bed – debilitated by panic attacks and anxiety.
Now, she is sharing her mental health journey in hopes of inspiring others to reach out for support.
Experiencing anxiety since she was 19, Anne had a long stretch of stable mental health, managing her symptoms with medication and therapy.
That was until a mental health relapse three years ago left her hospitalised and then house bound for an entire year.
“Last year I decided to try and get out of bed and I have been doing that ever since,” Anne shared from the entrance of the Balla Balla Community Centre, which she visits every Thursday to attend support group sessions.
“I wanted to build a support team around me so I started having therapy with a psychologist and through a Facebook Anxiety Group I found the Cranbourne Grow peer support group.”
Grow is a national peer-to-peer support organisation, encouraging participants to grow, recover and maintain good mental health.
Spearheaded by a 12-step program to encourage personal growth incorporating the principles of mutual help and peer support, the Cranbourne group meets weekly at Balla Balla Community Centre for support sessions.
Discovering and joining Grow in January this year was a huge turning point for Anne.
“I came away from that first meeting thinking I am so lucky to have found this Group,” she said.
“I wouldn’t be sitting here, being able to do all these things, and other things in my private life, without this group.”
Since joining Grow, Anne set two main goals for herself – to re-join her local fire brigade and to start doing the housework again.
She said GROW has helped her achieve both of those goals.
“I’m feeling quite proud at looking at no mess compared to messy and knowing that I’ve cleaned that up.
“The Grow group program has definitely helped me change my thinking and given me confidence in knowing that the Group will support me and help me in using the program.
“I have learnt that I am not alone and it’s a comforting thought that my lived experiences could possibly help someone else.”
Cranbourne Grow program worker Julie-Anne Van Tatenhove said Anne has progressed in leaps and bounds since joining the group.
“Anne has been a joy as a member, because she has always been willing to give it a go and the changes you can make, even over a short period of time, just by giving things a go is amazing,” Ms Van Tatenhove said.
“It’s been wonderful to see her grow in balance, because she does have a go-getter attitude, but she’s balancing it really well with self care now.”
Anne hopes her story will encourage individuals in a similar situation to reach out for support.
“It’s free, its open to all and its confidential.
“Give it a go – it might change your life.”
Cranbourne GROW is free and meets each Thursday from 10:30am to 12:30pm at Balla Balla Community Centre, 9 Selandra Boulevard Clyde North.
The program is ideal for anyone experiencing mental health conditions and are requiring long term mental health support.
For further information please call the toll free number: 1800 558 268.
