Podcast summary
Episode 9 In conversation with Greg
Greg is a male survivor of child sexual abuse, both familial and by a stranger.
Greg talks candidly and movingly about his long struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts and his addictions.
Being male, Greg found it very hard to show and share emotions, which he would numb by using marijuana. He did not want to talk to anyone about his mental health. Eventually, he reached out and, at the second attempt, found the help he needed. He spent a year working with a therapist.
Greg describes his difficult journey as an, “Odyssey”, a word that Mike Lew uses in his book. He describes the enormous difficulty of accepting the effects of the abuse and also his long, hard journey to recovery.
Greg’s mission is to speak out in support of other survivors.
He talks about the steps he takes for self-care, to make sure that he stays well.
Reaching out and talking to others is essential. Help will come to you, as long as you keep reaching out. You are not alone. You are not an alien. You are more like others than you realise.
Recovery is doable.
You can find information and help on these pages in Resources, male survivors, children and young people and websites and helplines
You can read Greg’s Comment about this site here
The journey to recovery from child sexual abuse or any other form of abuse, is long and painful. However you choose to find support and help on that journey, it is worth it. There is hope for recovery.
Thank you for listening.
