Riders raise mental health awareness

When Steve Andrews found himself at the funeral of his best mate's wife in 2008 after a silent battle with depression, he knew he had to do something.

Having lost his mother to suicide 15 years earlier, Steve said it was a catalyst for him to make a difference.

"I remember sitting at the wake and … thought I had to do something to bring awareness to depression and suicide," he said.

"I came up with the idea of riding around the country and spreading the message."

For the next year, Steve developed his idea and In July 2009, he started his first ride in Busselton and travelled solo around Australia.

He said during the ride he got the feeling other people were interested in helping his cause.

"When I got back to Busselton a huge crowd of people were waiting for me and I knew that the ride had ended, but Black Dog Ride had only just begun," he said.

"I realised I had created something and I had to keep it going and the best way to harness that was to create another ride and invite people to join me."

Black Dog Ride will celebrate its sixth birthday this year and now has more than 20,000 riders.

Steve said when he got on his bike for the first time, he had no idea the ride would grow so big.

"Motorcyclists don't need much of an excuse to ride and I think that's why it's done so well," he said.

"Nearly everyone knows someone who has suffered or lost someone to depression, and if you can do something good while having fun, then you've got a good formula."

Steve credits wife Jennifer and his family for helping build the Black Dog Ride and said without them his dream would not have been possible.

He said in the past six years, mental health had changed and the Black Dog Ride had played a role.

"The ride has a flow-on effect from riders to work colleagues, family and friends and has a much bigger impact," he said.

"The ride is a conversation starter and gets the message out to rural communities and men who struggle to talk about mental health."

The Black Dog Ride will have its first international ride this year, from New York to Los Angeles, and its fifth ride to the red centre.

Steve said his dream for the Black Dog Ride was that there would no longer be a stigma attached to mental health.

"I would love to have a community where anyone who suffers from a mental illness will feel informed and empowered enough to seek appropriate help," he said.

"I don't know if it will be achieved in my lifetime, but I hope it happens."

If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, phone Lifeline 13 11 14.