Gerroa surf program is helping army veterans cope with PTSD
A learn-to-surf program is taking the battle against Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in our military veterans to the waves.
NSW
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After years of battling PTSD and thoughts of suicide, young army veteran Bec Machelski is finding moments of peace and community in the ocean.
Bec is one of eight veterans from across the armed forces meeting on a virtually empty south coast beach ready to dive into surfing lessons.
A new program teaching ex-servicemen and women how to surf is being trialled with hopes it will improve the mental health of veterans. Bec enlisted to serve in the army at just 19, following in the footsteps of her Vietnam veteran grandfather.
Her untimely discharge in 2016 left a hole that has been impossible to fill in civilian life.
“Being in the army is very much a lifestyle, I believed it gave me ultimate purpose — it also wasn’t my choice to leave being medically and psychologically discharged. I think that’s why it’s been hard,” Bec said.
“Unfortunately in August last year I was really sick with my mental health to the point where I wasn’t managing at all with my depression and anxiety.
“I got into that dark hole to the point where I wanted to take my life.”
Bec found out about the program when she was hospitalised for her mental health struggles — now months later and in the water on a surf board she is starting to feel tranquillity again.
Other veterans from the navy and army were also taking their first surf lesson with Bec, spending hours in the surf riding waves.
The program isn’t just about learning to stand on a board — equal time is spent sharing stories and experiences with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Fred Campbell, 55, served in the navy for 36 years and also shares Bec’s experience with PTSD.
Mr Campbell said getting out into the water and concentrating on his balance and the timing needed to catch waves helped him keep negative thoughts at bay.
“On the board, concentrating on that wave and feeling the push of the wave, the taste of the ocean in the sea breeze is just great,” he said.
The Veteran Surf Project was started by former pro surfer Rusty Moran and ex-army officer turned lawyer Glenn Kolomeitz.
After receiving funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs to run the 10-week pilot program, Rusty hopes the program will expand nationally.
Western Sydney University will be studying the impacts of the surfing lessons on the mental health of veterans to track any improvements in their health.
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