‘Wolves’ offer pack support

Oamaru Wolfpack founding members (from left) Dave Morris, chairman Sean McGeown and Scott...
Oamaru Wolfpack founding members (from left) Dave Morris, chairman Sean McGeown and Scott Matthews. Photo by Rebecca Ryan.

A group of young Oamaru men are tackling the vital but difficult conversation of men's mental health and the stigma surrounding it. Rebecca Ryan finds out what is involved.

An all-male network in Oamaru has been set up as an alternative way to reach out to men who are not reaching out themselves.

The "Oamaru Wolfpack'' was launched last year, led by Oamaru man Sean McGeown, as a support group for men dealing with mental illness.

For a long time, Mr McGeown had discussed a need for a men's specific mental health support network in North Otago.

"Really, it started because of the suicide statistics getting higher and higher in Oamaru. No-one else was doing anything ... we needed to do something [and] I didn't have anything to lose by giving it a shot.''

He spread the word among friends and started a public Facebook page - Oamaru Wolfpack, alone no more - with an extension of a private group where men could engage in discussions and support others.

The group had its first monthly gathering - a "howling'' - last month.

The meetings were social gatherings, where people could feel comfortable, Mr McGeown said.

The first was a games day at Ardgowan Hall.

This month, it would be a firewood-chopping afternoon, with a barbecue and a group talk.

"We're not sitting there talking about mental health issues all the time, but if it comes up, it comes up.

"Not everyone in the group suffers from depression, anxiety or anger issues; some guys just want to be there to show there is care out there.''

The group was a support group and, by no means, a "fix-all''.

"We are young men ... trying to reach out to men who are similar to us. We have our experiences and we can share them with others.''

For a long time, Mr McGeown used alcohol as a solution to his problems.

He said he knew no other way.

"The best thing I ever did was give up alcohol. Hopefully, we can show other men that there is another way.''

Mr Morris said they hoped that by being gender-specific, men would feel more comfortable to open up.

"It's about creating that bond where men actually feel secure enough to open up; that was a big part of it.''

They have already established connections with Orwell St Church counselling service and the Canterbury Men's Centre.

It is hoped the group will evolve into something much more: a way for men to gain a greater understanding of their own physical, mental and emotional wellness through activity and dialogue.

"We've got a lot of plans for the future,'' Mr McGeown said.

Mr Morris said it was "hugely'' rewarding to see people turn up to the first meeting.

Some came with friends, others turned up knowing no-one.

"Some walking in semi-awkward, but by the time we left we'd all participated - playing darts, having a laugh and feeling comfortable.''

They encouraged anyone feeling alone in their battle to follow the Oamaru Wolfpack Facebook page, join their discussion group or/and attend the February "howling''.

"Unfortunately, it's the people that put on the biggest, bravest face that sometimes are the ones that become a statistic.

"We're a pack of men, we're going to work together, we'll support each other and have each other's back.''

rebecca.ryan@odt.co.nz

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