Retreats for PTSD Relief hopes to help those suffering find peace through fishing. Photo courtesy of Craig Dickerson

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – What do tacos, tamales, fishing, and PTSD have in common? They are all part of a fundraiser that Veteran Craig Dickerson is putting on.

Dickersons’ own struggles with PTSD has been the inspiration behind his non-profit, Fishing for Change – Retreats for PTSD Relief, which aims to provide resources and support to Veterans and first responders battling with mental wellness issues.

While on his own journey to wellness, Dickerson identified others in the treatment programs, especially veterans and first responders, that were experiencing severe symptoms of PTSD, extreme anxiety and depression and wanted to do something to help.

Through his experience, Dickerson found that self-care and meditation, for him coming in the form of getting out into the water and going fishing, was critical to his progress recovering from PTSD. “It isn’t an illness,” he contests, “it’s a wound” that needs healing.

He compares PTSD and being triggered to a “charging rhinoceros” that immediately puts one into fight or flight mode, making it difficult to recenter.  Dickerson expressed his opinion that key elements in fighting and healing PTSD, anxiety and depression include grounding techniques, meditation, and understanding triggers in order to manage them. He believes that for himself and others, a task-oriented, outdoor activity such as fishing can help those with PTSD “get away from all that stimulation that’s triggering it”.

Dickerson began taking some of his peers struggling with PTSD fishing. While not all their symptoms resolved immediately, they were able to get out into the water and “breathe” says Dickerson.

Therefore, “Fishing for Change: Retreats for PTSD Relief” was born. The fledgling non-profit hopes to raise enough funds to create a first class, month-long fishing retreat for veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD in the north state area. 

Dickerson has a beautiful location secured and hopes to put 12 trailers on the site for guests. All housing and meal needs would be met, and 4 to 5 counselors would provide 24/7 on-site mental wellness support. In addition, guests would spend roughly 4-5 hours a day in cognitive behavioral therapy classes and have online access to a licensed psychiatrist in the event of an emergency. The rest of the time, they would relax and fish.

Because of the need for professionally trained mental health providers, individual trailers for guests and more, Dickerson says it gets expensive quickly, but he hopes that there are those that can see how desperately a program like this is needed for those suffering from the “open wound of PTSD”.

Currently, Dickerson is actively fundraising to support Fishing for Change.  His first official fundraiser, the Tacos and Tamales Festival and Car Show, is to be held from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Butte County Fairgrounds, Saturday, May 4 in Gridley.

The event is free to the public, family friendly and a portion of all food sales benefit veterans and first responders. Dickerson shares there will be a kid’s zone and games, entertainment, prizes for the car show participants and plenty to keep those busy throughout the day.  T-shirts and gear will also be available to purchase to support the cause.

Dickerson continues to search for more sponsors for the event and welcomes any help, including donations, be them monetary, or fishing gear, poles, lures, etc.

For more information, please contact Craig Dickerson at 530-409-1011 or visit their website at www.Fishingforachange.org.