They’ve done it! They’ve arrived in Perth. The Crossin the Bor team of 12 Deakin Geelong medical students, have ridden bikes 3,500km for 16 days across the unforgiving, mind-numbing Nullarbor. They’ve raised awareness of mental health issues and raised $50k for the Black Dog Institute. Here is the story of one of their riders.
“I am fortunate to say that I have fought and survived depression. My hardest years we’re in my late teens. A time that I was still finding my voice and identity. So, I struggled in silence with an illness that I did not have words to describe, hiding my suffering from my friends and family until I was saved by my Mum.
“The ride to me is a way of creating a story of understanding and compassion around mental illness to replace the stigma and silent suffering that have prevailed for far too long. I hope our ride gives those suffering in silence, or those worried about a loved one, the words or a reason to reach out.” @olilegrouse
You can read stories of other riders at @crossinthebor
The team are urging people to ask their family and friends about their mental wellbeing more often and with more intent to be good listeners and to respond to the answer they receive. Then to follow up by checking in on that person regularly.
If you need to talk:
Lifeline: 131114 (24/7)
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
The Black Dog website have a ‘get help now’ tab (https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/getting-help/emergency) which lists emergency counselling services.
Photo taken at Deakin Uni the morning they headed off from Geelong.
HuG 