Help us raise money for Men's Mental Health Counsellors

"I had a long and successful career as a Manager/Director of Assets, Engineering and Infrastructure Services with large Councils throughout South Australia. I represented the State Local Government Association at local, state and national level.

I was a respected and successful coach of junior sport at local and state level, was a member of Rotary International, and a respected contributor within the communities where I lived.

However, in hindsight, I was a highly functioning individual who wore a mask to hide my mental health and addiction issues. Those issues eventually caused my life in recent years to spiral out of control. I was near death, and only saved by the Teen Challenge programme." - Thomas (Tom) Avery

I have been a participant in the Teen Challenge programme since October 11th 2023, following a near death experience in the Flinders ICU prior to that date. That experience occurred following a lengthy period of depression exacerbated by heavy alcohol consumption and inadequate diet. During that period of time, I experienced extreme relationship challenges and the closure of a successful business.

On admission to the Teen Challenge programme, thankfully encouraged by my daughter Tamsin, I had a plan to detox and recover over a period of 1-2 months maximum. However, the structure of the programme directed by management and strongly supported by part-time disability trauma counsellors, slowly but surely transformed my life through a positive process of recovery, rehabilitation, and restoration of my life.

From my personal experience I cannot express strongly enough my respect and gratitude to the Teen Challenge Facility in Strathalbyn, South Australia, and the disability trauma counsellors who have contributed so much to my improved mental health and wellbeing.

My most recent counsellor, Stacey Jamieson, sadly completed her last sessions on September 6th, 2024, due to lack of funding. I am advocating in an effort to gain funding to extend our Counselling services into the future. They are very much needed as a component of the programme.

We sincerely appreciate any assistance you can offer.

Kindest regards,

Thomas (Tom) Avery

More information about TEEN CHALLENGE SA INC: Our rehabilitation facility offers residential help to men and teenagers as young as 16. The Teen Challenge program aims to eliminate self-destructive habits by meeting the needs of the whole person; not only dealing with the addiction, but also rebuilding their self-image, work ethic, relationships and spiritual awareness. Our Teen Challenge program has a proven track record, helping men address key issues in their lives and to instil positive lifestyle values, employability skills, financial literacy and responsibility.