SUICIDE and mental health are topics often left untouched but a group of local organisers are hoping to break the mould with an awareness event.
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The Royal Hotel is set to host a ‘Stress Relief’ fundraiser for mental health and suicide prevention on Saturday, August 29.
Supporting a local team of organisers will be 42 Australia who will conduct a ‘Ride to the Royal’ as part of the fundraising event.
The group is a collective of ex and current serving military mates who get around on their bikes supporting mental health initiatives.
“Being military, most of us have gone through some sort of mental health battle and have found the best way to balance it all out is by being with likeminded folks who all seem to end up very good mates,” James ‘Chops’ Day from 42 Australia said.
“No one understands military service like someone who's there, or been there.
“We are not a club, nor do we aim to be. The title itself has no true meaning and could mean many things, but to us it means mateship.
“The run itself is one we do every year to remember a mate, Micky P, who we last had a drink with at the Royal Hotel. Rather than just do a ride this year we thought it would be great to give it a purpose,” Mr Day said.
The group will be donating any money they raise from the day toward the Tenterfield Mental Health Group.
“We thought it was perfect considering the battle many of our friends go through with PTSD and other mental health issues after leaving the Defence Force,” he said.
Barbara Smith from the Tenterfield Mental Health Support Group said they’d hope to utilise the funds to stay operational while also paying to host seminars.
Pulling the strings for the event is the duo of Rebecca Carpenter and Morgan Crae.
“Suicide Prevention and Mental Health is the most worthy cause I have worked on so far,” Ms Carpenter said.
“We have all been touched by these subjects somehow and at the end of the day we never know another person's truth.
“This will be a night to remember those past, raise some awareness and put our worries behind us and have some laughs with friends,” she said.
Morgan, or Little Phoenix, will perform at the event and said she’s acutely aware of the effects from mental health issues.
“Having experienced mental health issues myself in my lifetime, I have experienced firsthand the stigma and scorn some elements of society have towards those who struggle with depression and other mental health conditions.
“I think it is wonderful that so many members of our community are rallying behind this cause and I am optimistic that this event and the SCARF suicide prevention seminar on September 10 will be a powerful first step in creating accessible community wellbeing initiatives,” she said.
Join locals and 42 Australia from here and interstate at the Royal Hotel on Saturday, August 29 from 6pm.