How a trailblazing learn-to-surf program is helping men open up about mental health issues

The calming effects of the ocean and distraction of a surfing lesson are helping men open up about their mental health issues.

Joel Pilgrim is the founder of Waves of Wellness, the surfing mental health foundation. Picture: Jane Dempster/The Australian.

Most surfers understand the healing power of the waves but its benefits are proving to be life-changing for many men suffering mental health challenges.

Men are gathering at beaches around Australia ostensibly for surfing lessons but the surf teachers are also qualified counsellors who help the men to open up to mental health therapy after the surf lesson.

Waves of Wellness founder Joel Pilgrim says 2500 people have gone through the national program since it began in 2016, with 70 per cent of participants being men.

“Men often connect by being shoulder to shoulder rather than face-to-face because it’s far less threatening to do something laid-back like going to the beach and learning to surf,’’ Pilgrim says.

“As guys, we often need something like that to distract us from having challenging conversations. We’ve been expected to maintain this bravado but you’re far stronger if you show vulnerability and talk about your mental health.’’

Waves Of Wellness mental health program is proving to be a success around the country.

In these eight weekly sessions the beach, our nation’s great leveller, becomes the mediator.

Pilgrim, a mental health occupational therapist and keen surfer, started the program when he took one of his young patients suffering psychosis to the beach for a one-on-one surfing session. The benefits were immediate. Once immersed in the water, he says his patient soon relaxed and his thoughts settled, focusing only on how to surf.

“The majority of people come because they’re attracted to the surfing but then realise the value of the mental health discussion, usually breaking down their barriers by about week four and often at the end of the program, that’s the part they’ve most enjoyed,’’ he says.

“We have so many different people join. They may be approaching burn out, suffer low mood, anxiety, or agitation but as soon as they feel the sand between their toes, they can start to come to the present. It’s a great chance to give yourself a break.’’

Sydney investment banker Max Boddington, 26, joined the program earlier this year because he wanted to surf but was also feeling the negative impact of daily stress and social anxiety. He needed to take time out for himself.

“There was a lot of time for self-reflection during Covid and I realised I felt a lot less anxious without so many social interactions which worried me because I wanted to feel more connected,’’ Boddington says.

Max Bobbington says the Waves Of Wellness mental health program has given him new perspective.

“Sydney can be very cliquey (I went to university in Melbourne) and it’s not the easiest place to make connections, which has contributed to my anxiety.’’

But since completing the program he talks more openly with people about mental health, has realised the importance of spending time in nature and now spends at least an hour outdoors every day despite being bound to his desk 12 hours a day.

“I’ve also gained more perspective, realising people are going through their own ups and downs and not thinking about me,’’ he says.

“This program has done so much for me. If I think about the first session where we were all quiet, by the last session no-one cared about making a fool of themselves and I had so many conversations I didn’t even think were possible.’’

Movember mental health director Dr Zac Seidler says it’s never been more important for men to address their mental health.

“We’re losing seven men a day across the country to suicide which is three times more than the female rate,’’ Seidler says.

“Suicide is the leading cause of death for men aged 15 to 44. We need to rewrite the status quo. That’s why Waves of Wellness is so great because it allows men to connect and engage with a sense of ownership and empowerment while also normalising discussions about health and mental health.’’

Inquiries: foundationwow.org

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The calming effects of the ocean are the ideal environment for the Waves Of Wellness mental health program.

BY THE NUMBERS

Half of all mental health disorders begin before the age of 14 with 10-20 per cent of adolescents experiencing mental health conditions. Learning coping strategies can help them successfully transition to adulthood.

WOW surfing participants experience:

-95 per cent feel more connected to others and their community.

-95 per cent learned to access community support.

-90 per cent made new friends.

-25 per cent had increased self-esteem.

-21 per cent had increased social connection

-16 per cent had increased overall wellbeing.