Mental health battle waged in the boom

At his lowest ebb, Tyler Callahan thought suicide was the only way out.

Battling a major anxiety and panic disorder, the Blenheim electrician saw himself as a burden to his family.

Now two years later and in better health, Tyler is keeping a promise he made to himself; a vow to help others going through their own mental health journey.

The brains behind Blenheim’s newest mental health-based support group, BoomTown Battlers, Tyler says there is a real need for such an organisation.

“I knew I wasn’t the only person who was ill but I thought I was going completely batshit and that surely there was no one else who lived with this.

“I was suicidal … and I thought I was a burden to others.”

Since posting about his idea on Facebook, the number of group members has quickly risen to more than 140 people.

The idea is that the group meets up once a week for up to three hours allowing people to make connections and find support.

Clubs of Marlborough boss Dan Roos has kindly donated a venue for the regular meet up. BoomTown Battlers hopefully fills the gap in support, Tyler says.

“Even if only three people show up, that’s three people that can get the benefit.

‘I was a bit surprised [about the initial response] but also know there’s a need and nothing else like this out there.”

At 23 years old, Tyler was diagnosed with three debilitating disorders that left him struggling with everyday life.

Alongside severe anxiety and panic attacks, Tyler was diagnosed with somatization disorder, characterised by recurring, multiple clinical complaints such as pain.

His first panic attack left him feeling as if he was dying, he says.

“It was totally out of the blue, I couldn’t feel my limbs and thought I was going to die.

“I was home alone so got help from my neighbour who I told to tell my family I loved them; that’s how severe it was.”

After the attacks became progressively worse, Tyler was admitted as an outpatient to Hillmorton Hospital in Christchurch, and spent time in respite care with family supporting him at home.

His medications were almost quadrupled and, over time, he gradually started to improve with both therapy and finding and making connections with others.

“I got to speak to other people in my shoes which made a difference,” Tyler says.

“I want to provide a safe place where people can come, make connections and download. I have my ideas on how this group will look, but ultimately would like this to be moulded into what everyone else would like this to be"

“Mental health does not discriminate, so neither will the group -Everyone is welcome.”

To find out more contact the BoomTown Battlers via their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/598228174543133/