I have decided to strap on my boots and saddle up again.
I get up at 04:30am and by the time we board the bus that takes us to Albany I will have ridden 7500km around the metro area training for the ride. As a group, we visit and discuss mental health issues with students at schools along the way to help increase dialogue and raise awareness
This is my 14th continuous year of participation with the Hawaiian Ride for Youth. I do this to myself for a few reasons:
1. my physical and mental health are a lot better when I ride my bike.
2. I believe we are in a mental ill health epidemic; I have seen an alarming increase in stress and mental health problems in my practice. 30% of my daily patient contact is mental health related.
3. The Hawaiian Ride for Youth ride is relevant. Each occasion I have presented a talk at a school has been special. But in 2013 at Collie SHS I witnessed a pivot shift in youth heath literacy.
I delivered my talk, in which I discuss the death of a friend who took her own life and some tips and tools to help recognise and manage oneself and others who are suffering.
What followed was an extended mental health Q+A. the students were seeking advice to manage mental health issues, none of it was about the bike!
• Sadly, suicide remains the leading cause of death for 12–25 year olds
• On average we lose on young Western Australian to suicide a week
• Almost one third of young people will have had an episode of mental ill health by the age of 25
• 75% of all mental illness develops before the age of 25.
For every person who dies by suicide, 20 people will attempt to take their own life as some of you will be all too painfully aware from your own, a family member's or mate’s experience.
So I’m asking you to dig deep and support me in raising funds to help stem this tide, as we riders pay for the ride logistics, every cent of this goes to fund clinical services.
I forgot to mention they won't let me board the bus unless I raise $5000 (I have had to personally pledge this amount upfront) please click on the link to donate:-
Donate - Hawaiian Ride For Youth
All information provided online is secure and all donations will be processed and sent directly to Youth Focus. A tax deductible receipt for donations over $2 will be sent to you when the transaction has been completed.
Since it’s beginning in 2003 The Hawaiian Ride For Youth has raised in excess of 29 million dollars to help fund Youth Focus, a not-for-profit organisation that offers self-referred, free psychological support to young people in WA metropolitan and country.