"Riding to improve the mental health of young people" ... which is an excellent motherhood statement, but why is it important ?? Here are a few facts for you to consider:
- suicide is the No 1 killer of young people between 12 and 25 in Australia;
- 12% of 13 to 17 year olds reported having thought about suicide, with 4% actually attempting suicide;
- around 75% of all mental health issues will present by the age of 18;
- only 1 out of 4 young persons with mental health problems have received professional healthcare.
The above stats show how needed and important the work is that Youth Focus performs in helping the young people of Western Australia. From a personal stand point my wife, Kirrily lived for many years with mental health issues, finally succumbing to her demons on 11 December 2012 when she took her own life at the age of 42. So I am very aware of how devastating the effects of mental health are on an individual and the ever lasting consequences the suicide of a loved one has on a family.
Youth Focus provides vital counselling services to around 2,500 young people each year who are at risk of anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicide, thereby reducing the likelihood of a young family member becoming part of the above damning stats.
To raise funds for this most worthy of causes, myself and over 160 other riders will be riding from Albany to Perth this year, which covers over 700km, but before we even get off the bus at Albany each of us will have completed 7,000km of training rides. Each rider commits to raising at least $5,000, having paid their own entry fee of $1,600, so every cent raised through your donations or attendance at our events goes to helping and counselling young West Australians.
Please make a donation, every dollar over $2 is tax deductible and we accept international and Australian credit card payments ..... so please make that donation.
Thank You
