FISHING FOR MENTAL HEALTH

New to these pages, Matthew Moate provides some salient advice for men, young and old, who might be struggling with the rigours of everyday life.

In Australia mental health is a topic that’s no longer on the fringes of discussion; it’s a crisis. Men, in particular, face a silent epidemic. According to the ‘Ten to Men’ study, one in five Australian men will experience some form of mental health issue during any given year. Depression, anxiety and loneliness are prevalent and, tragically, men make up three-quarters of all suicides in the country. But amid the challenges there are glimmers of hope – simple, time-honoured practices that can make a profound difference. One of these practices is fishing.

I’m Matthew Moate and, like many men, I’ve faced mental health battles. For me, fishing has always been a passion, but in recent years it has become something much more – a lifeline. Fishing gave me peace and a way to decompress from the stresses of everyday life. It allowed me to focus on the moment, casting my worries away along with the line. But as life got busier, I found myself making excuses not to go fishing, even though I knew it was something that helped my mental health.

MY STORY: A LIFELINE THROUGH FISHING AND ACCOUNTABILITY

That’s when I had an idea – start a YouTube channel. By creating Matt’s Fishing Escapes, I gave myself a mechanism for accountability. Knowing that I needed content for my next video became my motivation to keep fishing, no matter how busy life got. It wasn’t just about the fish anymore, it was about maintaining my mental well-being and sharing that journey with others. The channel became my way of ensuring that I made time for the thing that kept me grounded. Over the past year my channel has grown, and so has the community around it. What began as a way to share my fishing adventures has turned into something much more significant. By opening up about how fishing helps my mental health, I’ve received countless messages from viewers who have faced similar struggles. They’ve told me that my videos have helped them, not just with fishing tips, but by encouraging them to take their own mental health seriously. And that’s when I realised that Matt’s Fishing Escapes wasn’t just a personal project anymore; it was part of something bigger.

THE MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF FISHING

Fishing isn’t just a hobby; for many it’s a form of therapy. Research backs this up. Studies have shown that spending time outdoors, particularly near water, has a calming effect on the mind, helping to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Fishing offers a unique combination of mental and physical engagement. The focus required to fish can serve as a form of mindfulness, helping people to clear their minds of daily worries and reconnect with the present moment.

Getting out and spending time with mates can be as important as catching a fish

According to a report from the Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA), anglers often cite relaxation and stress relief as the primary reasons they go fishing. It’s not just about catching dinner; it’s about finding peace in the simplicity of the activity. Fishing can lower cortisol levels – the stress hormone – and boost mood by fostering a connection to nature. This is especially true for men who might not otherwise find an outlet to unwind from the pressures of daily life.

The ‘Ten to Men’ report revealed that mental health struggles like depression and anxiety are common among Australian men. And while many men are reluctant to seek traditional help, fishing provides an accessible and effective alternative. Whether it’s the quietude of a remote riverbank or the rhythm of casting and reeling, fishing gives men a nonthreatening space to process their emotions and de-stress.

FISHING FOR CONNECTION: BUILDING BONDS AND BREAKING SILENCE

One of the most powerful aspects of fishing is the way it brings people together. Loneliness is a significant factor in poor mental health, with the ‘Ten to Men’ study indicating that 4 per cent of Australian men report having no close friends. Fishing offers an opportunity to bridge that gap. Whether you’re fishing with family, friends or fellow anglers, the time spent together fosters connection. The simple act of sharing a boat or standing side by side on a pier allows for conversation – sometimes deep, sometimes light – but always meaningful.

For men who often struggle with opening up about their feelings, fishing provides the perfect environment for talking about mental health. You’re not sitting across from someone in a sterile environment; you’re out in nature, with the focus on something else entirely. It takes the pressure off, allowing conversations to flow naturally. Many men have told me that fishing has helped them talk about things they never would have otherwise; conversations that might not have happened without the calming influence of the water and the shared activity.

A CALL TO ACTION: TAKE A MATE FISHING

If you take one thing away from this article, let it be this: fishing can be more than just a recreational activity. It can be a lifeline for someone who needs it. Mental health issues don’t always present themselves clearly, and many men suffer in silence. That’s why I’m asking you, the readers of SA Angler, to reach out to a mate who might be struggling and invite them on your next fishing trip. Even if they’ve never fished before, the experience could be exactly what they need.

You don’t need to have deep conversations if it doesn’t feel right. Sometimes just being there, fishing together, is enough to let someone know they’re not alone. In my experience, the more you open up about your own mental health, the easier it becomes for others to share as well. Talking about mental health isn’t a weakness; it’s a strength. And fishing provides the perfect opportunity to start that conversation.

FISHING FOR A BETTER FUTURE

Over the past year I’ve seen firsthand how fishing can improve mental health; not just mine, but the health of countless others who have reached out through Matt’s Fishing Escapes. Fishing has become a way for me to maintain my mental well-being and has helped others do the same. But this isn’t just about fishing, it’s about the connections we make, the conversations we have, and the way we support each other.

So next time you plan a fishing trip, think about who you could invite along. You never know – you might be offering them the lifeline they didn’t know they needed. Together, let’s make fishing more than just a sport. Let’s use it as a tool to connect, support each other, and improve mental health. Because sometimes a day on the water can be the first step toward healing.

ABOUT MATTHEW MOATE (MATT’S FISHING ESCAPES)

Matt, 44, has been a predominantly land-based angler his whole life after being introduced to the pastime by his father. Many days and nights in his childhood were spent in the southern parts of Adelaide chasing whatever he could catch. In 2023 he returned to fishing to help find balance in life, improve his mental health and with that created his YouTube channel ‘Matt’s Fishing Escapes’.