WAGIN man Kevin Evans will join hundreds of bike riders from all over Australia when he takes part in one leg of this year's Black Dog Ride this Sunday.
The motorbike journey, which heads to Alice Springs, departs on Sunday, September 5 simultaneously from Sydney and Perth, to raise awareness about depression.
The bike ride is a major initiative for the Black Dog Institute’s Exercise Your Mood Week being held across Australia from September 11-19.
The bike riders are assembling at two starting points on Sunday September 5 – Yahava Kofeeworks in the Swan Valley in WA and at Deus Café in Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, before the two groups link-up at Port Augusta on day four of the gruelling 4000 kilometre trip.
Mr Evans will be part of a support group which could also number in the hundreds which will travel with the riders on the first leg of their journey to Northam.
He is keen to support the ride to not only raise awareness of the occurrence of depression in the community, but also to help reduce the stigma which surrounds it and encourage people to talk about it – particularly men.
Mr Evans has known family and friends affected by depression and bi-polar disease and encourages anyone who may suffering from these to seek help.
“A lot of men, in particular, don't want to talk about it if they are depressed,” Mr Evans said.
“But if they seek help they can recover and get well again – it's all about facing up to it.”
He said he was pleased that a film crew was following the ride and regular updates would be provided by daily live feeds to the regional Channel Seven networks, with a documentary about the entire ride produced at the end.
Describing himself as a “bit of a adventure rider”, Mr Evans said he was looking forward to joining in with the ride to Northam.
The Sydney group will be flagged away by renowned Australian rock legend Angry Anderson.
The Black Dog Bike Ride was originally launched from Perth last year.
The ride has grown to encompass a nation-wide effort with riders from all over Australia converging at the red centre on September 11, the starting date for Exercise Your Mood Week, to recognise the impact that depression has in today’s society.
Black Dog Ride director Steve Andrews said depressive illnesses affected over a million people each year, or 20 per cent of Australia’s population.
It impacts on one in five Australians and according to the World Health Organisation will be the number one cause of disability by 2030.
“Depression is the third largest individual heath problem in Australia after heart disease and stroke,” Mr Andrews said.
“However, most people don’t speak about their illness because they don’t wish to be perceived as weak.
“We are hoping that through this ride, people will begin to understand that the biggest struggle is in fact speaking about your problems, and from there, you can then get some help.”
Angry Anderson has openly struggled with depression all his life and agreed to be a Black Dog Ride ambassador as a means of breaking down the barriers.
“I vowed years ago that I was going to be part of the solution and not the problem and as such I believe that this ride provides an opportunity for people to join forces and spread the message of hope throughout Australia and especially in rural locations,” Mr Anderson said.
“This seven-day ride is applicable to all genders and ages and hence we encourage you to either join the ride or just simply support the cause by logging onto the website www.blackdogride.com.au.”
The website also provides important links to other related sites, including Beyond Blue, Men's Helpline and Lifeline.
This year the funds raised will be allocated to Exercise Your Mood Week, a national initiative by the Black Dog Institute which is a not-for-profit, educational, research, clinical and community-oriented facility offering specialist expertise in mood disorders that include depression and bipolar disorder.
More than $40,000 was raised from the ride last year.
Black Dog Institute executive director Professor Gordon Parker, emphasised the importance of regular exercise for maintaining good mental health.
Research has shown the benefits of exercise include a reduction in the levels of stress hormones, improved sleep, fitness and energy.
Email a friend