Black Dog Ride returns to Busselton this weekend to spark meaningful conversations about mental health

The Black Dog Ride will return to Busselton at the weekend aiming to spark meaningful conversations about mental health. The Black Dog Ride began at the Busselton foreshore in 2009 when family and friends of the organisation’s founder Steve Andrews waved him off on a solo mission. He said he began the journey after having experienced the loss of loved ones from suicide. “The mission was simple. Having lost my Mum and a very dear friend to suicide, I was determined to ride around Australia to raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention to start conversations,” Mr Andrews said. Mr Andrews departed on his 26-day and 15,000km journey, with other riders joining him from different points in Australia. “Most of them had a personal story to tell about how depression or suicide had impacted their life,” he said. “It was like my Black Dog Ride had given them permission to share their story, many for the first time. It was a humbling and enlightening experience.” The one-day event started the following year and is now held on the third Sunday in March every year. “We get on our bikes, go for a ride, have some fun and all the time we’re delivering the very important message that it’s OK to talk about depression and suicide, and it’s OK to reach out for help if you’re struggling,” Mr Andrews said. “In the following years more and more riders and supporters participated in Black Dog Rides and became ambassadors for our cause. “To be honest, at times the level of support has been quite overwhelming.” Mental health and wellbeing organisation Lamp Busselton has a long partnership with the Black Dog Ride, being involved since the very first group ride in 2010, with volunteers donating time to see riders off in the morning. This Sunday, March 16 riders will leave from 15 Kershaw Street at 9am, with registrations open from 7am. Stage one of the ride begins in Busselton and finishes in Nannup, while stage two finishes at Dardanup Hall from the Nannup morning tea break, making the total distance of both legs 181km. Tickets can be purchased now, costing $35 for a rider and $20 for a passenger.