A Newcastle man who silently battled anxiety and depression after a family trauma is preparing for a gruelling 415-kilometre paddle down the Murray River to champion the importance of men opening up about their mental struggles.
From Trauma to Transformation
Dave Wright, a 44-year-old from Nelson Bay, spent years bottling up his emotions after his wife Amanda suffered a significant injury in a house fire a decade ago. While he focused intensely on her recovery, he unintentionally neglected his own wellbeing.
"I'd done the usual male thing of putting on a brave face and toughing it out for my family," Dave admitted.
The emotional burden eventually manifested as anxiety and depression. It was only when Dave sought professional help and began talking through his problems with a psychologist that he found a path forward.
"I was able to work through that," he said, reflecting on the healing power of conversation.
The Massive Murray Mission
Starting Monday, Dave and a team of five mates will embark on the Massive Murray Paddle, a five-day endurance event covering 415 kilometres. For Dave, this challenge is deeply symbolic.
"It's about breaking that stigma around men being silent and not talking," he stated. "It's important to reach out and have meaningful conversations."
The team is raising funds for Talk2MeBro, a not-for-profit with hubs in Newcastle and Port Stephens dedicated to men's mental health and suicide prevention. Their efforts have already garnered nearly $11,000 in donations.
Dave praised the organisation's community work, saying, "They're making sure people have an outlet, somewhere they can go and feel safe and know it's OK to speak."
Finding Strength in Discomfort
This will be Dave's second year participating in the demanding paddle. He sees a direct parallel between the physical challenge and the mental health conversation.
"It's a good test of endurance and mental fortitude. It aligns well with the mental health and wellbeing conversation," he explained. "You have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Everyone on our team could identify with mental struggles."
Dave emphasises that mental health is a universal experience, though its expression varies. "Everyone's story is different. Some struggle more than others. A lot of people have something they could touch on with their mental health," he noted.
He discovered kayaking in June last year as training for his first Murray paddle, which also helped him tackle his fitness and weight. He has since found that exercise is profoundly beneficial for his mental health, something he had neglected for years while busy with work in the audiovisual sector and family life with his two children, now 13 and 17.
"There's something very cathartic about the water," Dave shared. "It's very calming and peaceful, even when you're out there by yourself. It's good with a group, too."
Today, Dave is in a "pretty good space," a testament to the healing he found through talking, professional support, and physical activity. His journey from silence to strength serves as a powerful reminder that reaching out is a sign of courage, not weakness.
