GROW for maintaining mental well-being

A unique organisation helps people with mental health problems through strategies to build self-confidence

:o.m the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, almost half (45.5%) of the coral population in Australia experience a mental health disorder at some point in their lifetime. One in five or 20% of the Australian population aged 16-85 years experienced mental disorders in di e previous 12 monrns of rneir survey. This is equivalent to about 3.2 million Australians. Depression and anxiery are die most prevalent mental disorders experienced b y Australians.

Depression alone is predicted ro be one of the world's largest health problems by 2020.

One of the people at the forefront of efforts to improve mental wellbeing in die community is Gaurav Chawla, the young branch manage r of GROW in Western Australia, GROW is a community-based organisation that has developed a unique program for improving and matntaining ment.'ll well- being of all Australians. GROW started operations in Sydney but now has groups across Australia. For over 50 years, d1eir program has helped thousands of Australians recover from a range of mental heald1 issues , including depression, anxieC),~ panic attacks as well as diagnosed mental illness. lo a safe and confidential environment, GRO\XT members get together for weekly meetings to participate in die organised program. The meetings last for two hours approximately, and are followed by refreshments.

According ro Gaurav, "People who seek he lp with GRO\XI are those struggling with mental heald1 issues, anger issues, depression, anxiety or even people who just wam co improve their lifesryle. As the name suggests, d1e program is about growth, growing friendships and leading a more 'ratio nal l ife,' rather than an emotional one, The program is free of charge, people do nor need diagnosis or referral co participate".

"The group sizes vary from 3-10 members and are run by experienced 'Growers ' who have taken a voluntary leaders h ip role within the group. Working in a group provides peer-support ,vhere the group members help each o d1er:' reveals Gaurav.

He highlights one of cbe many thinking strategies used wid1in the program to ask oneself the four stabilising questions when one is emotionalJy upset

* What is it char I an1 troubled about

* Is ir certain, probable or only possible

* How imporrant is it?

* What shall I do about it?

Every group has a leader and a recorder. Once people start improving within d1e group, they are empowered co take leadership roles. GROW provides weekend leadership training to group members, so chat members can take o,voership. lt al.so drives their personal growth It is a voluntary program, completely fund ed by the Mental Health Commission.

The success of the program is measured qualitatively through the personal testimonies of people when d1e y scare recovering, and stare celling ochers about the improveme nt in their lives.

Are there clients who may nor be suitable for mis program?

"The program is a 'complement' or 'addition' to the medical treatment route for mental health issues, and does not seek co replace traditional medic al recommendati o ns," exp lain s Gaurav. "It looks at improvi ng the thought process; 'you alone can do it but you can't d o it alone', is the dictum being practiced". As state manager for WA GROW, Gaurav oversees the program in the sta re , which includes both metropolitan and regional groups, o ut of his office in Perch. ''Howeve r, it is a ream and collaborative effort. We inclLtde all the growers and the facilitators into the decision making process," he stares.

Gaurav was born in Delhi, and worked in London and New Zealand, besides work.mg with asylum seekers and agencies dealing with mental heald1 and alcohol issues. His pass ion is co work for non -profit socia l service organisations and not- for-profit seeking corporates. This led him to his current role in GROW.

And does GROW provide support to migrant communities ?

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"GROW is crying co work with Red Cross for migrant and asylum seekers. I personalJy come from a migrant background, my parents migrated to India from Pakistan and I migrated co Australia," he says. "Migran t s sometimes don't get what they expect when rney migrate co Australia, and d1eir dreams are shattered. This results in disappoinanenc".

As part of his shore- te rm p lans for the organisation, GROW is celebrating 'Odd socks day' o n October 4, encouraging participants co wear different socks co support me anti- stigma campaign. The motivatio n is to break d1e stignia associated with mental health, and the need fo r compassion.

"We want people co make friendships and realise that we are all human beings despite the mental health issues," Gaurav scares emphatically.

In his spare time, Gamav runs free yoga and kite surfing c lasses on die beach in North Perch His maxim is, "As we connect ,vith nature, bealm improves".

The cop three suggestions from Gaurav ro readers co make sure they are on top of their mental well- being are to (1) Connect with J\fother I atme; (2) L oo k after holistic health; do yoga, go for a walk, do tai chi, or any od1er differen t activiry; and (3) Live a humorous life, laugh, focus on t he positive side of things - look at what you have and nor what you don't have.

Gaurav is happy t o receive queries and to co1mecr with more people wirnin the wider