Riders rally for mental wellbeing

A GROUP of former one-percenters and Outlaw Motorcycle Club members turned counsellors and personal trainers will this month host a motorcycle ride to raise awareness of mental health.

Now in its third year, the annual Men’s Mental Health ride draws on the group’s lived experience and brings together their love of riding bikes with their desire to encourage those who are less inclined to seek support, to reach out for help.

The event will be hosted by Complete Health Geelong’s Mental Health Militia, an initiative aimed at preventing those who need support but don’t qualify for assistance through the region’s mental health, and preventing disability services from falling through the gaps.

Through free monthly events and financial support to participate in activities such as counselling, fitness groups and support groups, the initiative strives to provide community members in need with purpose, meaning, connection and a safe place to land.

“Instead of going and joining other motorcycle clubs, they can come, hang out with us and they can come into our groups,” Complete Health Geelong founder Troy Koerntjes said.

Fellow Mental Health Militia member Aiden Benson said the initiative took off quickly and has helped to foster a “really cool community”.

“We’ve got a lot of guys off the street that were addicted to drugs, sort of going down that path…but they saw what we did, and they really wanted to engage and now it’s organically grown into almost a behavioural change program.

“[It’s] pretty easy to say, this place saved my life, having gone through a lot of adversity myself.”

This year’s Men’s Mental Health ride will begin at 10am on Sunday, November 17 at Werribee’s Highway Lounge.

The procession will stop at 11am in Geelong, before continuing onto the Meredith Hotel where participants can enjoy a free barbecue, live music, access to mental health supports and a car and bike show, with plenty of trophies up for grabs.

The event is open to people of all genders, age groups and skills levels, on motorbike of all sizes.

Koerntjes said the event was about providing participants with a space where they can talk to someone about their concerns without feeling bad.

“If guys like us can talk about our issues and cry, hopefully we can inspire others to do that as well,” he said.

Brett Ritchie, a former cop and recent addition to the Mental Health Militia, encouraged everyone to come along.

“These guys are just putting so much effort into helping people who are struggling…[and] letting people know that there is help out there and not to suffering in silence.”

Benson also urged people, whether they come along to the event or not, to get out in the community and start engaging.

For more information, contact Complete Health Geelong via email on [email protected] or send a message to 0400 443 449.