Meet our inspiring Gotcha4Life presenters: Sharing tales and tools to build mental fitness in others
Vicky Worland
Gotcha4Life co-founder and Programs Director, mum, teacher
Vicky is one one of our original and most inspiring presenters. Here, she tells what drives her passion for Gotcha4Life workshops that are changing and saving lives.
I love that I can take my passion for teaching into our workshops and know that when I walk away, they are going to have learnt something and I’ll have made a difference.
The big driver for me is getting them to actually feel it, and see it, and go ‘I get this now. I’m going to try and do it differently.’ You can see them change.
I love that the simplicity and power of our message hits across all age groups. I’ve done workshops with 10 year olds through to 70 year olds, and they are magical.
The innocence of the youngsters sharing through their child’s lens opens up deeper conversations with the older ones and vice versa. They learn from each other.
Grandads often come into workshops a bit dubious, and then leave going, ‘You know what, I’m a hard nut, set in my ways - but this is so important, I want to be different for my grandkids’.
One particular comment sticks with me. It was from a grandfather who came up and talked to me after a workshop. He said he was shocked by the (suicide) statistics and didn’t want to be one of them. He had suicidal ideation. We talked and got him support. Knowing the message reached him in the workshop right when he needed to hear it, is incredibly rewarding.
I want participants to leave knowing they can start taking action today to build their mental fitness, to reach out to their village and not worry alone. And that it starts with us. It’s our responsibility to take action.
Every worry, big or small, is important. Whatever’s going on, give your mate, give your Gotcha4Life person a chance to help. Because if you stay silent, no-one can help you.
I’m excited for a future where mental fitness becomes a common part of everyone’s language. A habit, like cleaning your teeth. Something we all just do.
