Hello legends! My name is Joel, I am a Gravedigger from Diggers Rest, Victoria, Australia. I have faced significant challenges during childhood through to manhood, inclusive of type 1 diabetes since 3yrs of age and living with undiagnosed ADHD for 34 yrs which led to struggles with AOD abuse for approximately 15 years.
After enduring workplace bullying, I committed to personal growth through support groups, volunteerism and vocational studies in mental health & suicide prevention.
My goal in joining this community by 'We Breathe Success' is to gain clarity through mindfulness to overcome social anxiety, increase confidence/self esteem and enhance my communication & presentation skillsets. I aim to share my story to foster change in mental health awareness, particularly among men in trade as there are currently 9 deaths to suicide each day in Australia, majority of this toll are men.
I'd like to commit my attention to creating a men's group focusing on promoting healthy masculinity, encouraging diversity across all cultural/minority groups, reducing domestic violence through gender equity and breaking down barriers of stigma for men to communicate with emotional intelligence to help reduce poor mental health & suicide rates in our community.
I need your help to overcome my own self doubt and insecurities to achieve this however!! I look forward to delving into this space and am excited for what's to come!