00:00Two years ago, teenager Montana Tag struggled to get out of bed in the morning.
00:07Today, she and her dad are up before the sun, and she's keen to take off.
00:12In 2023, Montana fully withdrew from high school, and that's year nine.
00:17She dropped out completely. It just didn't work for her.
00:22The 16-year-old lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome,
00:25which causes chronic pain, hypermobility and frequent joint dislocations.
00:30Her symptoms, school bullying and some issues at her previous secondary school,
00:34snowballed into mental health problems.
00:37But a new school and regular sessions with surfing charity Ocean Mind
00:41have made a world of difference.
00:49It's a two-hour public transport journey from her home in the western suburbs
00:53to today's session in Ocean Grove, but it's worth it.
01:02If the waves are good, if the waves are bad, I still have to surf them
01:04and just try my best and see what I can do.
01:07And she's not the only one seeing benefits.
01:10I feel like I can let go when I'm in the water and not think about anything.
01:14The early research on surf therapy is promising.
01:17Deakin University ran a study with 36 young people who were seeking help
01:21for things like anxiety, depression and ADHD.
01:25And after six weeks, they found there was a reduction in symptoms
01:29from those conditions.
01:31Researchers put that down to learning a new skill, making friends
01:34and physical exercise causing an increase in dopamine.
01:37They need to be present, so there's that act of mindfulness
01:41and really paying attention.
01:43Montana's new school has included surf therapy in its curriculum
01:46and it's pleased with the results.
01:49Being able to share an activity and sit side by side
01:54and chat about how people are going and their wellbeing
01:57in between catching waves or, you know, being in the ocean
02:00is quite different to sitting in a room.
02:03Helping young people navigate the storms of life
02:05with a buoyant attitude.
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