PEOPLE struggling with depression and anxiety are being invited to cast their blues away with Resilience Sailing.
The organisation is looking for recruits to be part of their next 12-week Sail for Life program next month and in 2020.
Resilience Sailing founder Aaron Goldwater said anyone who had suffered anxiety or post traumatic stress disorder was able to sign up.
The program was free and taught participants how to sail.
"Anyone who has suffered from trauma can apply," Mr Goldwater said.
"They may have PTSD or anxiety as a result of their trauma."
Mr Goldwater said the Resilience Sailing program was being investigated for its mental health benefits by the University of Southern Queensland.
The approach was adopted from Israel after studies proved sailing could help those with post traumatic stress disorder to relax.
He said participants in the Sail for Life program were taken sailing every week on small sailing boats borrowed from Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron at Manly.
Those who graduated the program were then helped to join yacht clubs to continue sailing.
"It has been shown that sailing and being on the water in calm situations helps many people ...," he said.
The program was currently helping survivors of domestic violence, with plans underway to also help Indigenous Australians and young people.
Resilience Sailing was also fundraising to buy a bigger boat for overnight adventures, Mr Goldwater said.
To donate, visit asf.org.au/projects/resilience-sailing.
For more information about Resilience Sailing, visit here.
