Geelong joins fight against suicide with Black Dog Ride

THE Geelong community has rallied behind the Black Dog Ride, a major event aimed at sparking a national dialogue on depression and suicide prevention.

Held on Sunday, the local leg of the 2024 Black Dog Ride invited participants to take part in a one-day motorcycle journey to promote awareness and support for those affected by mental health issues.

The event started at the BP truck stop in Geelong, travelled through the region, and concluded with a gathering at the Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club.

Local co-ordinator David Doak said the ride was a significant step towards breaking the silence around mental illness.

“More than 3,000 lives are lost to suicide in Australia every year, and one in five Aussies will be affected by mental illness every year, with three million living with depression or anxiety.

“The tragic loss of loved ones to suicide is what drives Black Dog Ride to build a community culture of awareness, inclusion and acceptance, and we’d love for more people from the local community to get behind that in 2024.”

Black Dog Ride Australia general manager Lawson Dixon stressed the importance of community involvement in suicide prevention.

“We’ve been helping Aussies have conversations about mental health and suicide prevention for almost 14 years and we know that every conversation, every activity, every ride and every piece of awareness we help create has the potential to change lives for the better,” Mr Dixon said.

The Black Dog Ride, which began in 2009, has grown into a national charity, raising millions for mental health programs and enhancing awareness across Australia.