HOW A community responds to mental health needs can often be a measure of strength for a community spirit. Fraser Coast has a proud history of community groups rallying behind people in need and Red Bike Adventures is a great example of this spirit.
Red Bike Adventures was founded three years ago by a group of mates who, through the COVID-19 pandemic, decided that there was no better time than now to finally bring a 15 year old goal together. The goal was to ride a postie bike from one end of K’Gari Fraser Island to another…which is became a reality.
After a few meetings, a few social gatherings and laughs, and a few “you won’t do that” moments, the founding members put a plan together to hold a unique event with the smallest of motorised bikes on the world’s largest sand island.
With the rise of mental health issues in Hervey Bay that year, Red Bike Adventures decided to raise money to donate it to local charities that could help raise awareness and support mental health and suicide prevention.
The first event in 2020 was a resounding success and the popular event has continued as an annual event. The following year they became a registered non-for-profit organisation that aims to help raise awareness and funding for local organisations and charities that can help support suicide prevention programs and tackle mental health issues.
Organisations that have been the beneficiaries of their support include LIVIN, Lifeline, University of the Sunshine Coast and the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre. This also includes free counselling services for people with issues such as grief, housing stability, sadness, and future planning.
Red Bikes Adventures committee members Danielle Mares and Scott Gilchrist, says “The Fraser Coast region in 2021 had 30 suicides in just five months, both women and men, the youngest aged just 12 years old. 3,000 Australians end their lives each year. 1 in 2 Australian adults will face mental ill-health at some point in their lives”.
“Now, in 2023 we have seen a positive trend form; more people are seeking help for their mental health problems. This suggests the stigma is being reduced. However, this has put pressure on our mental-health workforce. Increased help seeking and greater needs are translating into more demand for services, leaving places such as head space, private counsellors, and psychiatrist unable to meet the new demands.”
To contact Red Bike Adventures, go to their website www.redbike.org.au
