Raw emotion felt at TIMP fundraiser

The raw emotion and reality of substance abuse and mental health left people numb in their seats at a recent awareness night organised by The Ice Meltdown Project.

TIMP founder Janice Ablett said about 170 people attended the recent awareness and fundraising night and many had never heard the “real” stories about substance abuse.

“It was good to get new people there who we’d never met before. They saw the reality and rawness of the project.

“Clients from TIMP were very emotional on stage, especially when they realised where they had been and how far they had come in the past two years.

“It was a very touching night, there was a lot of positive feedback and people asking us to make it an annual event.

“There were some new clients from TIMP so they were able to see where others had come from in the past two years.

“We have to give them something to aim for, there’s always hope to keep going,” she said.

Janice’s nephew and AFL star Gary Ablett junior was a major drawcard on the night as he was joined by fellow Geelong player Esava Ratugolea as guest speakers.

Impressed by the work and success stories he had heard from Janice, Gary was keen to assist his aunt raise vital funds for the program and promote its value in the community.

Gary spoke about the struggles and pressures faced by many AFL players and the expectations that were placed on them.

Janice’s son Cory O’Brien made people aware that “not everyone is the same.”

He said people needed to be aware of how they speak to others and the impact of what they say may have on their lives if they are already struggling with mental health.

TIMP supporter and doctor John O’Donoghue told the audience that substance addiction was like a disease and addicts suffered relapses like someone with diabetes may suffer a relapse or setback.

“Addiction is a disease and diabetes may not be an addiction, but it is a disease,” Janice said. “It has to be managed, sustained, followed up and reviewed.

“Once someone is on our books we don’t lose sight of them. We follow up to make sure they aren’t lost in the system and not a harm to themselves,” she said.

The event raised about $6500 to support continuation of the TIMP program in Drouin.