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Teen suicide motivates Black Dog Rider

Black Dog Ride teen suicide Terri Barclay
Queensland's Black Dog Ride

Brisbane rider Terri Barclay is riding more than 5500km around Queensland with the Black Dog Ride in memory of her teenage godson, Cameron, who committed suicide.

“Cameron was just 16 years old,” says Terri at her lunch stop in Blackall today. “His loss was a terrible blow.”

Terri is no stranger to long motorcycle trips, having ridden 5700km in 10 days in 2014 when dealing with the loss of Cameron to depression.

“I now want to use that experience to help raise funds to help others like Cameron manage this dreadful illness,” she says.

This time she is travelling with a photograph of Cameron on her bike along with a black dog supplied by the Lions Club of Macleay Island who are supporting Terri on her mission.

Black Dog Ride teen suicide Terri Barclay
The photo of Cameron

The Queensland ride of about 40 people, 37 bikes, five women riders and two women pillions is one of several in each state this year as part of the eighth annual Black Dog Ride to raise funds and awareness for suicide prevention, mental health and depression.

Check out when and where the other rides are being held.

The Queensland contingent set off on Monday (August 15, 2016) for a 5545km ride from Brisbane to Roma, Longreach, Winton, Cloncurry, Mt Isa, Kurumbam Georgetown, Cooktown, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Bundaberg.

Queensland contingent Black Dog Ride teen suicide Terri Barclay
Queensland contingent

“I have been riding for two and a half years now”, says Terri who rides a Triumph Speedmaster.

“This project is a perfect fit for me, using my love of motorcycles to raise awareness of an illness that touches so many.

“Just starting the conversation is important; making it possible for people to talk about their problems without feeling they are being picked on and weak for showing emotion, particularly boys and particularly in rural communities.”

She says they had dinner with the Roma Lions Club last night and spoke to the mayor who said farmers were doing it tough.

Every year in Australia, one million adults and 100,000 young people live with depression and half don’t seek treatment. Nearly 3000 will take their own lives every year.

Terri says that we can all do something positive to help. “Do not be afraid to ask how someone is doing and really listen if they say that they are not alright”.

She says the trip is going well with “no dramas, a clear road and only one breakdown so far”.

Black Dog Ride teen suicide Terri Barclay
Terri and her Speedy

Fundraising from Black Dog Ride’s QLD 2016 will fund Lifeline’s Online Crisis Support chat service, and Mental Health First Aid’s teen MHFA program in Australian Secondary Schools.

You can support Black Dog Ride’s suicide prevention campaign by donating here.

Last year’s ride to the Red Centre attracted about 350 riders and about 50 pillions who raised more than $300,00 to bring the seven-year total to more than $2 million.

If you are battling with depression, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

 

  1. Depression is a horrible thing, it can slowly build up like the gas in a rotting corpse or it can strike like a snake hidden in the grass. Some of us might get a bout of the blues from time to time and think it’s depression but a bout of the blues is a bit like a cold you get over it and may never get bad enough to be depressed. Depression can be caused and contributed to by many things, Pain and diet are two of the most common and the most correctable contributors. Doctors used to think that aches and pains suffered by those with depression were psychosomatic and a good talking to was all that was needed, But now they are finding out that the pain is real and treating it can actually do more good than anti depressants (theoretically aspirin has been curing depression in heart patients ) the old joke take two asprin and call me in the morning may actually have been good advice?
    Anti depressants are very dangerous drugs especially for teenagers as they may not react to them as an adult will, infact they can cause suicide and violent behavior so make sure your doctor is competent enough to prescribe them to a teenager. Diet and exercise can do a lot more for a teenager or an adult than drugs can sometimes . A diet high in sugar and artificial dyes and little variety can be very dangerous , if you suspect your child is depressed check their diet and make sure they get plenty of fresh fruit and veg and MEGA doses of omega 3 fatty acids such as fish oil and regular long walks in the sun. Avoid trans fats polyunsaturated oils and high carbohydrate foods and anything that they may have an intolerance or allergy to, conditions like IBS eczema anything that causes a nagging irritation can be the straw that broke the back.
    Polyunsaturated oils are supposed to be good for your heart but that is now proving to be BS they are being linked to an increase in cancer risk and depression and have no proven beneficial effects on cholesterol. It turns out cooking in lard or butter is far better for you and has little effect on cholesterol but has other health benefits that outweigh any cholesterol issues , Monounsaturated fats like olive oil are actually good for you and have been linked with a reduction in cancer risk as well as being able to actually reduce cholesterol.

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