Location: Southern Tasmania

Referral Source: Community Concern

Garrick grew up in a family deeply connected to the land. Although his childhood was spent mostly in town, he and his siblings eventually returned to the family farm as adults. After more than a decade working as a diesel mechanic, Garrick was burnt out and craving a change of pace, something physical, outdoors, and hands-on. He found work on a lettuce farm, and unexpectedly, a new online persona was born.

Calling himself “Lord of the Lettuce,” Garrick began filming his day-to-day life in a raw, comedic, unfiltered style. His following grew quickly. With it came attention, validation, and, without him realising, a slow decline in his mental health. Alcohol became part of the persona, something that fueled the late-night posts and kept the character alive. As the audience grew, so did the pressure to keep performing.

“I’d built this persona,” he said, “and alcohol helped me be that person.”

Privately, Garrick was struggling. His mental health had been deteriorating for some time, and over three to four months, things spiralled rapidly. People around him noticed changes and quietly voiced their concerns. One day, after hearing a “mystery report” about Garrick’s wellbeing, RAW staff member Karen arrived at the farm to check in.

Garrick wanted nothing to do with it.

He pushed back, insisting he wasn’t the kind of person RAW helped. In his mind, RAW was “for old farmers,” not someone his age, not someone who didn’t fit the traditional mould of a primary producer. He didn’t reach out, didn’t ask for support, and didn’t believe he was meant to receive it.

But Karen saw what he couldn’t yet say: he wasn’t okay.

Her approach was gentle, never forceful, never judging. She checked in, asked how he was doing, and simply let him know support was available if he wanted it. Over time, Garrick reached a breaking point. The façade, the drinking, the pressure, and the exhaustion all collided.

“It got to a point where I thought, I’m ready. I’ve hit a low enough point. I need help, and I can’t do it myself.”

From that moment, things shifted. Karen supported Garrick daily, helping him navigate detox, rehab options, and the overwhelming task of rebuilding from the inside out. She stood beside him through early steps that felt huge and guided him through a process he couldn’t manage alone.

For Garrick, the experience was transformative.

“I didn’t know anything about RAW. I thought they were only for farmers with drought problems. But they helped me, and now I tell people, even those not in rural communities: ring these guys. They did wonders for me.”

Today, Garrick is open about the journey he’s been on — the persona he built, the struggles behind it, and the strength it took to let it all go. His story is a powerful reminder that rural life takes many forms, and that support doesn’t start with asking, sometimes, it starts with someone showing up.