More than 300 mental health advocates on two wheels from will depart from all corners of the nation to meet in Katherine next Friday, August 17.
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The riders will be meeting on mass in Katherine before travelling to the final destination, Darwin the following day.
The two wheelers set out today for an epic week long awareness raising adventure.
Black Dog Ride’s Top End 2018 mental health campaign will roll out of each state will hit the highways north, covering over 4000 kilometres and hundreds of communities.
On Friday, August 17, Black Dog Riders will converge en masse in Katherine to ride together to Darwin in celebration of the power of community conversations in mental health awareness.
Black Dog Ride began in 2009 as a ride to raise awareness of depression, and has evolved into a national health promotion charity involving thousands of Australians with lived experience of mental illness who inspire the nation with their passion for preventing suicide.
Black Dog Ride’s community health projects are among the largest of their kind in Australia that are organised, conducted and involve participants with lived experience.
Black Dog Ride does not receive any government funding.
Funds raised during Top End 2018 will be used to benefit grass roots community mental health projects throughout Australia.
So far Black Dog Ride has raised more than $2.5 million for mental health and suicide prevention programs nationwide, including Lifeline Australia’s Crisis Support Chat service, Men’s Sheds, training 1000 youth in teen Mental Health First Aid, Samaritans Crisis Support Service, and local Headspace Centres.
For more information or to donate to Black Dog Ride visit the website:
• Suicide is the leading cause of death in Australians under the age of 45
• 8 Australians take their lives every single day, that’s 1 life taken every 3 hours
• It is estimated that there is a suicide attempt every 10 minutes in Australia
• 80% of all suicides in Australia are by men, but the number of women suiciding is increasing
• 20% of Australians will experience a mental illness every year
• Mental illness is the leading cause of disability in Australia
• Depressive disorders are the most common identifiable risk factor for suicide
People experiencing a mental health crisis can call:
Lifeline Crisis Support on 13 11 14; Samaritans on 135 247; Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467; Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978