The Fly Program
Photos: Screencraft Media/Michael Fardell
Photos: Screencraft Media/Michael Fardell
When we look at the elements of a human life and break away the layers we discover a story, a story as unique as a single fingerprint. These stories are made up of a collection of life-moments, some we may never question but others are so significant they sit at the forefront of our minds.
In some respects, one’s life isn’t too dissimilar to a mountain bike trail, with its ups and downs and the twists and turns along the way. There are some days the trail puts us into the box and there are other days, we ride it with absolute freedom – the journey becomes a pretty special destination.
As I have grown older and have had more experiences, I only now appreciate the impact of my childhood and its lasting mark on my life. In our youth we are moulded by the people close to us and the places that surround us.
From the first time I picked up a fly rod and first threw a leg over my mountain bike I was gripped with a deep appreciation for wild places. Crafty company marketing plans did not corrupt me; I was naively drawn to the simplicity of a river and a trail. Life was simple, no words, and no politics and in these places my mind was free.
Then would come the day that life, this twisting and turning trail would throw up a challenge that was impossible to comprehend. Our family would receive the news that my wife’s cherished brother, a beautiful friend had just taken his life.
The pain of losing a loved one to suicide is all encompassing and the questions are plenty but all go unanswered – it is a torture of the heart.
He was the big brother who went the extra mile, literally and figuratively speaking and for those his life touched brought immense happiness and friendship. Unknown to us though, he was in a battle that would ultimately take his life.
The days, weeks and the months that followed would slowly teach us how to cope with the raw nature of the pain but the questions never stopped. During this time I was increasingly drawn to the trails and streams that have provided reprieve and clarity to thought in the past. The questions kept coming – How could our brother, with more strength and more resilience than anyone take his life? How could this happen in our family?
A quick observation of the Aussie male brand, it is apparent that we are a segment of the community that takes pride in strength and resilience – it’s in our DNA.
As widely accepted as this ideology may be, is it an accurate summation of our disposition? Or do we misinterpret the real meaning of strength and resilience?
The hard facts of men’s mental health
Every 24 hours Australia will lose 7 of its brothers and sisters to suicide, totalling over 2,500 deaths every year. Nearly half of the Australian population will experience at least one form of mental illness like depression, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or anxiety in their lifetime and men will be more likely to suffer without asking for help and go untreated.
The statistics are frightening and all too real for so many. Personally, I’ve never been clinically diagnosed with any form of mental illness but I have no doubt I have been there. My state of mind caused me to want nothing more than to escape the darkness and like so many, I wouldn’t put my hand up for help.
But something I have learned through my experiences and professional support is that there is one statistic we must embrace in these circles – mental illness is 100% treatable.
As an outdoor adventure professional and fly fishing guide in the NSW Snowy Mountains I am privileged to see first-hand the positive impacts that participation in outdoor activities can have on people’s state of mind, particularly in men. It also seemed apparent that in these places our conversations have depth and meaning, not the norm looking at the Australian male society.
In the natural world we have a wonderful platform to engage an instinctive and primal part of the male psyche. Extensive research would also spell out that participation in the outdoors has the ability to raise energy and a heightened sense of well being, mounting feelings of happiness and wellness.
So the concept of doing something about mental health in our male adult community became a profound mission. The following months led to a lot of networking with allied professionals and the legal work commenced setting up a new Health Awareness Charity – The Fly Program.
The Fly Program is a not-for-profit organisation focused on reducing the stigma and prevalence of PTSD, depression and suicide in Australian men. We understand that casting a line and discovering places on a mountain bike has an amazing ability to connect with the Australian male community.
At The Fly Program we believe in four key principles – Explore, Cast, Discover and Recover.
Explore
Exploration is the reason why many are drawn to the outer limits of our beautiful world. The anticipation of the unknown is the very reason why we pursue the next bend in the river, or pedal over the next mountain pass – it is through exploration we also explore our inner-selves.
Cast
In the generation of the digital world we are quickly losing touch with many of the simple splendors of life. Casting a line by a mountain stream, or an untouched shoreline has a powerful means to engage an instinctive and primal part of the male psyche.
Discover
Through discovery we can learn to escape the distractions of everyday life and bring clarity to our thoughts. Discovery of our world is also an amazing metaphor – assisting Australian men discover new places within themselves through life changing adventures.
Recover
Learning new skills, growing in confidence and knowing it is possible to push into exploration, casting a line and discovering places on a mountain bike has an amazing ability to marry us with the confidence needed to find recovery within ourselves.
Having the opportunity to reach out to the AMB community is an amazing privilege and I hope that today is a day we change our perceptions of strength and resilience. Today is the day that putting a hand up, or asking a mate how their going is the definition of true strength and resilience, not carrying on in silence, or too anxious to ask that question.
In the coming months we will be launching our new website and some fantastic programs and events.
Make time today to ride a new trail, grab a mate and take them along with you and start having real conversations that matter.
If you have any enquiries regarding The Fly Program, or you would like to know how you could support the company please be in touch.
Matt Tripet
Founder & Chief Executive
