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  • 5/18/2025
Deakin University research shows surf therapy can help reduce mental illness symptoms. The study, run in conjunction with surf therapy charity Ocean Mind, involved 36 young people who had reported symptoms of anxiety, depression or ADHD. The researchers will release the full results of their work over the coming months and hope to extend the research to other demographics.

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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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