PSYCHS ON BIKES: Riding Towards Mental Wellness in Rural Australia
Psychs on Bikes, a team of motorcycle-riding mental health professionals, are gearing up to hit the road and bring vital mental health support to regional and remote communities across 4 states including Queensland, NSW, Victoria and ACT. During the month of September, 10 dedicated volunteers including psychiatrists, psychologists, and mental health nurses will embark on a 2 week journey departing from Rockhampton travelling South raising awareness about emotional distress and offering free health checks to local residents.
The initiative, spearheaded by psychiatrist and founder Dr. Joe Dunn, aims to address the significant burden of mental illness in rural Australia. With a focus on early intervention and prevention, Psychs on Bikes will provide screenings for common health concerns such as high blood pressure, diabetes and depression.
Dr. Dunn expressed the importance of proactive outreach in combating mental health challenges, stating, “We try to screen people for the four silent killers which are high blood pressure, diabetes, alcohol, and depression.” By identifying these issues early on and providing access to resources and support, the team hopes to make a meaningful impact on the well-being of individuals and communities they visit.
The Psychs on Bikes initiative embodies innovation, combining a passion for mental health advocacy with a love for motorcycle culture. Riding through picturesque landscapes, the team aims to spark conversations about mental wellness and reduce the stigma surrounding seeking help for mental health concerns.
As they journey across the country, Psychs on Bikes invite communities to join them in promoting mental health awareness and fostering a culture of support and understanding. Together, they aim to create a brighter, healthier future for all Australians.
Psychs on Bikes will arrive in Roma on Monday 7th September and can be found at the Roma Men’s Shed from 10.30am-12.30pm. The community is invited to drop by for a free presentation and optional chat and health check.
For more information about Psychs on Bikes and their upcoming ride, please visit https://www.psychsonbikes.com/
Contact Hayley Rynderman at hello@psychsonbikes.com or 0412522853
About Psychs on Bikes:
Psychs on Bikes are a group of motorcycle-riding mental health professionals dedicated to reducing the burden of mental illness in rural and remote Australia. Founded by psychiatrist Dr. Joe Dunn, the initiative combines a passion for mental health advocacy with a love for motorcycle culture, aiming to raise awareness, provide support, and promote well-being in communities across the country. The volunteer health practitioners are extremely approachable and often draw interest from passers by coming to check out their motorbikes. They invite you to come and have a chat or a free health check when visiting your town.
At these free events (for adults over 18 years of age), anyone can come down, look at the motorbikes, have some brief monitoring done (blood pressure, blood glucose, BMI/weight), and speak with one of us about how they’re travelling in a supportive and non-confrontational environment. We also like to encourage people to access ongoing support in their local areas, and start positive conversations about both physical and mental health. We do our best to involve local health professionals and organisations as well, and have been doing this kind of thing since 2011.