THE air was crisp but the rising sun took the edge off the fresh Port Stephens dawn as Talk2MeBro held a community catch-up at Halifax Beach in Nelson Bay on 21 June.
With participants scattered on the sand in varying layers of warmth, Custodians Chris Rapaport and Ben Grover opened the event by sharing how necessary it is to find ways to support mental and physical wellbeing when stress and challenges are a constant.
Talk2MeBro was initially created to help reduce the number of men who die by suicide.
The aim is to create societal change by reducing the stigma associated with suicide and to empower men to take control of their mental health.
“It feels like purpose,” Chris said in sharing why the importance of the meet-up overrode the comfort of his warm bed.
“Facilitating Talk2MeBro is more than just holding space or running an event – it’s about being part of something that truly matters. Something bigger than me,” he said.
“Through my own journey, especially with breathwork, I’ve experienced how powerful it is to reconnect with yourself, to move through emotion, and to break free from the silence that keeps so many stuck.
“That work changed my life.
“It gave me clarity, strength, and a deeper sense of self. And now, I get to share that with others.”
Following introductory stories, Donna May purified the meeting space by calling in ancestral leadership and bringing in positivity with some evocative and melodic conch blowing.
The collective then embarked upon a meditative and guided breathwork session, followed by an ice bath for the brave and a surprisingly warmer dip in the ocean.
Salamander Bay business owner and regular attendee Damien Hamilton said he enjoys the way he feels after engaging in the simple rituals of breath, meditation and the cold plunge, “because they help me manage anxiety and stress”.
Chris told News Of The Area that the most rewarding part of giving back through the meet-up, “is seeing the shift in someone – sometimes within just a couple of hours.
“To see the light come back into a person’s face, to witness their energy change, or to hear them say they feel connected again, that’s everything.”
Fellow Custodian Ben said that he “lights up” watching people walk away feeling upbeat, positive and emotionally nourished.
“Deeper connection to self and to others through intentional conversations, is one of the most nourishing things you can do in this human experience.”
The next free Talk2MeBro Community Catch-up event is being held on Saturday 5 July from 7am-9am at Bagnall’s Beach.
For more details, go to talk2mebrocatchups.org.au/port-stephens-community-catchup/.
LIFELINE: 131114
By Jacie WHITFIELD
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