AMAA: With Saltwaterdreamtime
This month formerly Ask A Pro Live is getting a makeover - welcome to Ask Me Almost Anything. Same event but different name which highlights the value of having these discussions with peers as well as professionals.
This month we are doing something super special. We are really excited to kick off the event name change by talking to a leader in our community here on the forum. This is someone who has been part of the ReachOut family for a very long time and someone we are really proud of.
Our very own @Saltwaterdreamtime is our guest for this months Ask Me Almost Anything! Shoot through your questions as we will be chatting about their journey with mental health and experience as a proud Arrernte man. Read saltwaterdreamtime's bio below:
"I go by saltwaterdreamtime and I am a 25 year old Arrernte man living in Wadawurrung country. These two places are so different but mean so much to mean in different ways, and I can’t wait to be able to tell you more about why they are special to me. I’ve been using Reach Out for about 6 or 7 years now, it has been a really big part of my journey through difficulties with my mental health. I’ve lived with a number of mental health issues for a long time, and although I still have some bad days sometimes I know how to look after myself and what I need to do to manage my wellbeing, and keep on top of it.
I feel my time with ReachOut has been a huge part of that. I’m really really looking forward to being a part of this chat, NAIDOC week is a great opportunity for me to show off one of the things that is most important to me which is my culture."
I'm looking forward to this one and I bet you all are too. We will be chatting this Thursday the 12th of November, so get your questions in fast and set a reminder to join in.
Join us LIVE November 12th 7pm - 9pm AEDT
@Saltwaterdreamtime that's incredible, I found some of the best mentors are those with lived experience! 
Your mentors sound amazing, too! It's so great you can keep the cycle going!
8. What do you love about your culture? And How do you celebrate your culture and identity?
I celebrate my culture and identity everyday by sharing it with my family. I forgot to mention that Wadawurrung country is and will be particularly special to me because it is where my own children will grow up, and they will grow up to know as much about it as they can take in. And be proud of it too. as we all know knowledge is best shared!
Sharing your knowledge is such a beautiful way to celebrate it @Saltwaterdreamtime . And so incredibly special that your kids will grow up there!
Phew, I'm not too late!
Is it okay if I say whose land I'm joining the conversation from?
Also @Saltwaterdreamtime Thank you for doing this! Your answers are really amazing!
5. What does NAIDOC week mean to you?
Well well well, apart from my birthday week isn’t it just the greatest week of the year. It means I get to really show off one of the things that matters most to me and teach people things they didn’t know before. It’s a time for learning not just teaching other people too. Today I learnt that one of my good friends has an art studio and sells Indigenous art, and I’m going to go visit sometime soon. I had no idea!! I played footy with this guy.
it’s a time for reflection, what can we as a country do better to recognise AND RESPECT the nations first people.
How cool to learn that about your friend @Saltwaterdreamtime ! And we're so grateful to be here learning from you tonight and learning from each other
I love this: it’s a time for reflection, what can we as a country do better to recognise AND RESPECT the nations first people.
4. What have you learned from your life experiences? It could be something you've learned about yourself or about the world.
This question!!
My big take away.... you can make it even if you hit barriers. I think prime example here is finding out about my background despite never having an opportunity to do so as a kid. But I also mean in general. I own my own business, I work, have a family, and I’m really happy, but I had a A LOT against me. If somebody had told me even 5 years ago that I would be here now I would have laughed. 10 years ago... yeah I would have done much worse than just laugh at you. And I was told that too, I wouldn’t do anything when I grew up, I was a trouble maker, I couldn’t do anything, I was a screw up, unnecessary/ a distraction, and that wasn’t from family that was teachers and things like that. I won’t go into my family. Looking back, I can kind of see why, I was.... um I think these days they call those kids “a little lost”.
Also, my other big learning. Family can mean blood, but it doesn’t have to. I have family relayed to by blood that I love, and I’m immensely proud of, and they have my back, but I also have blood family that I never want to see again. But I have people in my life that are not related to me by blood and they are also my family, well and truly family to me, without a doubt.
What you said about family is so true @Saltwaterdreamtime. It can be a real struggle to find people who are supportive of you, even if they are your family. A lot of people don't understand that family members can be toxic or unsupportive if they haven't experienced something like that themselves. I'm glad that you've managed to find people who really have your back. 🙂
@Saltwaterdreamtime completely agree with everything you've shared in this question! I'm so proud of you for being able to share your experiences! 
That is a really good takeaway @Saltwaterdreamtime. Sometimes it might feel like there's no chance to get where you want to be, especially if people who know you tell you that you won't make it.. but having the strength to keep going after hitting obstacles is incredible. I'm glad you've gotten to where you are now in life and I hope I can have the same strength.
I mean.... talk about having family not related to by blood. I have a 3 year old, a partner, and also two “adults” (I put that in quotations marks because it feels weird to call them adults when I am too) that looked after me when I was younger and now I go to when I need them for things, and with them they bring their own kids and their grandkids. They are my family. None of them are related to me my blood. None of those people I just mentioned.
@Saltwaterdreamtime That reminds me of one of our friends. She and her family arrived in Australia as refugees. A kind couple took in a lot of refugees, including them, and helped them out with money and property. They still kept in touch as adults and she considered them her foster grandparents. It's amazing that compassionate people like that exist and I'm glad they looked after you.
