Community
10 October, 2025
Men's mental health put front of mind at fitness sesh
A POPULAR fitness session has become a safe space for St Arnaud men who may be struggling with their mental health.
A POPULAR fitness session has become a safe space for St Arnaud men who may be struggling with their mental health.
And now, St Arnaud Man Therapy & Movement has been able to expand, thanks to a recent funding boost.
Driscoll Ag director and senior agronamist Brett Douglas, who has supported this program, said it was an important cause to help keep running.
“There’s so many physical benefits obviously, but social as well,” he said.
“Mental health was something I never thought was real, but it is.”
The program started in 2022 to promote good physical and mental health to farmers through movement and connection.
Now open to all men, the six-week program focuses on laughs, movement (pilates focused) healthy lifestyle habits and creating a connection with one another in a safe and welcoming space.
St Arnaud Physiotherapy Centre exercise physiologist and pilates instructor Chloe Douglas said she had many farmers being encouraged to join, particularly by their partners.
“I had one wife tell me she had offered to finish her husband’s work so he could make a session,” she said. “She said he came home with a smile and weight lifted from him.”
The funding came from Northern Grampians Shire Council.
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