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 over the metro area training for the 700km ride from Albany to Perth. we visit and talk to schools along the way to help raise awareness of youth suicide and mental health.
This is my 11th 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. I have presented a talk at a school every year, each time has been a highlight. However, in 2013 at Collie SHS following my talk in which I discuss the suicide of a friend, useful tools and red flags to manage oneself and others who are suffering; I fielded a 90 min mental health Q+A. from the audience. the kids 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.
