A new support group is starting up in the South Cariboo, with a key difference from those that are typically available — it’s for men.
The 100 Mile House Men’s Support Group starts next week and will run every Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre (CFEC).
CFEC program director Lloyd Garner says the program is for all men who would like help to explore issues affecting their enjoyment of life, including self-esteem, addictions, violence, abuse and anger, relationships and parenting.
“It’s men supporting men through the challenges of life, gaining insight and wisdom for a better, healthier tomorrow.”
The group will be facilitated by Sam Moody who has been working with First Nations and other people for 25 years, helping them come to terms with trauma and other issues affecting their happiness and well-being.
“[Moody] has a tremendous history in helping people understand and express their desire for a positive change and the resulting benefits,” says Garner.
Moody is based out of Williams Lake, where he facilitates groups through his Standing Tall Healing Services and previously worked for several years at the Cariboo Friendship Centre.
Moody says he has worked a lot with residential-school syndrome, both in Williams Lake and in his home town of Bella Coola, after he got started in his field in Hazelton, helping victims of childhood sexual abuse.
A lot of negativity can be passed on to children who often emulate their parents, he says, adding this cycle “creates havoc” eventually.
“If [someone] is traumatized as a young person, it sets them up for a lifetime of challenges.”
Moody’s sister, Gloria, was murdered 41 years ago in Williams Lake, and her killers have never been found.
Gloria was killed on Oct. 25, 1969, and is the earliest murder victim ever listed on the Highway of Tears, the nickname for a highway route across British Columbia with a series of unsolved murders and disappearances of young women.
It took him 23 years to get over the loss of his sister, Moody says, adding he had a brother who was also murdered, and his early family life suffered significantly as a result of those deaths.
Today, his “internal medicine wheel” method helps other people look inside themselves and come to terms with negative life experiences and then “letting them go” to become “captains of their own ship,” Moody explains.
“Ultimately, my goal is that individuals can achieve some sort of peace and balance in their lives.”
He adds much of his success in aiding people in dealing with their bad experiences stems from The Law of Attraction, a metaphysical belief that positive and negative thinking produces positive and negative physical results.
Things like learning how to sustain anger can remove roadblocks to attaining peace and balance, and people who are open to change can be taught how to better manage their life and learn forgiveness, Moody says.
Participation in the group can help show men how to take control and be empowered to fulfill what they see as their purpose in life.
This involves identifying even small ways for men, who are struggling with personal issues, to take back control of their lives and find more enjoyment.
For more information or to register for the program, call Garner at 250-395-5155.
