Saving lives on a shoestring, funded by barbies
MILLIONS of dollars gets poured into suicide prevention in this region, yet a service that has assisted more than 1500 locals through their mental health struggles in the past eight gets none of that cash.
Many people Dubbo Photo News has spoken to who’ve said they owe their lives to Tradies In Sight founder Bruno Efoti, say they’d never visit other agencies that follow orthodox counselling paths.
They claim Bruno Efoti has broken down the traditional barriers that prevent people from seeking help and say it’s this simple act that has prevented them from taking their own lives.
Take Brayden Daines as one example. He put up a social media post – a cry for help – and while many people suggested he contact Tradies In Sight, not a single other agency was mentioned.
This alone, Mr Daines believes, is a strong indicator of the incredible grassroots support being built by the organisation, giving locals the faith to recommend it to those who believe they have nothing to live for.
Brayden, 26, is a mechanic and auto electrician who moved to Dubbo from Mudgee three years ago and his social media post was a real, and courageous, cry from the heart:
“Probably a long shot but looking to meet some mates with similar interests in Dubbo. I'm 26, love camping fishing 4x4ing etc been living in Dubbo for a few years now and work as a mechanic/auto electrician. Don't really know anyone at all here apart from my missus and her family and my boss at work,” he posted.
“I do suffer depression and sometimes find myself with no one to talk to or vent to and feel like a burden when I try to address my problems to those close to me.
“If there's anyone out there like me that is struggling and battling mental health and needs someone to talk to or catch up every now and then for a beer or a fish please message me. Please no nasty or judgemental comments.”
He told Dubbo Photo News the positive response from our community had been overwhelming, and that he owes Bruno Efoti a debt of gratitude.
“I’ve been to that many psychologists and psychiatrists over the years and although you feel they’re listening, they’re constantly and continually saying things and suggesting things that are hard to interpret. It’s just talking going 'round and 'round and you’re not getting anywhere,” he said.
“With Bruno and his program, you can speak to him as if he’s your brother, your family. You can just open up to him about anything. He doesn’t try to constantly cut into your conversation. He’ll let you talk for an hour on end, nonstop, before he says a word if that’s what it takes to let you get your point across.
“Honestly, without Bruno’s support I don’t think I’d be here. Things were just becoming so overwhelming and having someone to listen and talk to, I think without that everything would have just become too much. It would have got to a point where I ended up in a mental health (facility) or I’d ended up doing something I couldn’t take back,” he said, reflecting that he’s previously felt so low he’s attempted to take his own life.
Now he wants to raise awareness of Tradies In Sight and lobby state and federal governments to fund what he sees as the most vital service Dubbo has to offer, sickened that Tradies gets by on a day to day basis by Bruno cooking barbecues to raise a few dollars to keep the doors open.
“I don’t know how he copes with listening to so many people – how it doesn’t upset him, how he’s able to not turn into an emotional wreck himself by listening to so many other people pouring all their feelings out,” Brayden said.
“Because there’s common ground, because he’s been a tradie, you can make all that more of a connection with him. I feel like I’m able to open up a lot more to him than previous psychologists and other mental health professionals I’ve seen.
“What he does for the community is beyond human really. The fact that he doesn’t expect money for his counselling sessions that he has with people is just unreal. I don’t know how he can do it.”
For his part, Bruno Efoti said his joy comes from being able to help people understand how to see the positives in life and help them become more resilient when things turn tough.
“I think the beginning of hope is that you’re brave enough to say the hard things that are going on,” Mr Efoti said.
“It’s often not hard to tell if someone is struggling but to have a strategy that resonates with them, it means that they feel they haven’t been singled out but rather drawn in by somebody’s care and love and kindness. I think that is the layer of support and intervention that’s most important for those who are really struggling when it comes to opening up.
“To me that’s the first layer of hope – if they set foot in our shed it means they’re looking upwards. No longer will they be hiding from the shame as being seen as weak. They’re beginning to take control of their mental health and that’s what’s important.”
He says he’s grateful for the initial support from the state government and the part Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders played in arranging the Tradies In Sight shed but believes the organisation’s runaway success should see even greater growth if properly funded on a long term basis – if he’s spending his time fundraising, he’s not able to properly perform his vital, life-saving role in the community.
“All the feedback I’m getting is so positive but I believe the success of this organisation hasn’t been recognised by the government. Surely government has seen how successful our model has been,” he said.
“We’re looking for long term funding arrangement so we know we’re secure into the future and that figure of 1500 men we’ve helped, I believe that could be doubled in the next couple of months if we have the resources to keep our events going forward.
“I’ve seen all these other mental health programs that have been funded. I just hope this might inspire people to see just how important this program is. Like Brayden said, and I hear this a lot, and I just want people to realise we’re here for the community and if we can slow down the suicide rate in our community, and then Australia, that would be a healthy outcome and that’s what we’re working towards.”
● If you, or someone you know, needs help or someone to talk to, you are not alone. Help is available 24 hours a day – call Lifeline on 131 114 or the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.