Psychs on Bikes - The Big Ride for Mental Health
On Wednesday 5 May, ICP Founder & Principal Psychologist, Matt Dale, heads off to join the broader team from “Psychs on Bikes” on an epic ride towards the Top End, visiting multiple remote cattle stations along the way, as part of a mental health initiative and check-in for farmers and remote workers. Matt has been riding motorbikes for even longer than his established career as a Psychologist, but this adventure is the first time he has been able to perfectly combine his two passions for two-wheels and mental health.
“Psychs on Bikes” is an organisation of mental health professionals raising awareness of mental health issues in rural and remote communities. They have a passion for their work in the mental health industry and a desire to reduce the burden of mental illness in rural Australia. They also have a passion for riding motorbikes. Focusing on mental health, Psychs on Bikes visit communities in rural and remote Australia providing support, advice, awareness seminars as well as free health checks.
Although Matt has joined plenty of social rides with the team over the past few years, this will be the first major ride with the team to cover visits to cattle stations in Isis Downs, Longreach, Mt Isa, Rocklands, Helen Springs, Newcastle Waters, Daly Waters and up to Katherine.
The cattle station visits will see the team of mental health professionals meet with workers and families to cover a wide range of topics on health and wellbeing; including mental health watch-outs, dealing with flat feelings and depression, relationships with family and co-workers, signs of distress and needing help, suicide prevention and tips around improving physical health.
The team of male and female psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health workers will continue their travel around the Top End into WA, supporting hundreds of people along the way. As others continue around Australia, Matt will head back to the ICP HQ after ten days, with tales of adventure and plenty of extra kilometres on the GS1200.
We wish Matt and the POB team the safest of travels on the hundreds of kilometres of bull-dust roads, and we look forward to sharing some stories and photos from the trip in coming weeks.
To follow the ride, keep an eye on the “Psychs on Bikes” Facebook page, and we will also share updates on our ICP (Incorporate Psychology) social channels.
Check out more about the Big Ride, in a recent article from Motorbike Rider: https://motorbikewriter.com/psychs-bikes-big-ride-mental-health/
To support Psychs on Bikes or learn more about their work in supporting rural and remote communities, please visit: https://www.psychsonbikes.com/support-us
Incorporate Psychology (ICP) is also a proud sponsor of Psychs on Bikes. www.incorporatepsychology.com.au
