As anyone who has been close to someone that has committed suicide knows, there is no other pain like that felt after the incident. – Peter Greene
Did you know that here in Australia, around 600 more people commit suicide each year than are killed in car accidents? We hear a lot about the tragic loss of life on our roads, and so we should, but we don’t often hear about the tragic loss of life through people who simply decide that they no longer wish to keep living.
One organisation trying to do something to turn these horrific figures around is Youth Focus. Youth Focus is a West Australian, non-profit community based organisation working with young people who are showing early signs associated with suicide, depression and self-harm. Youth Focus can also provide services to their families. Youth Focus values young lives by ensuring the emotional well-being of young people, developing their self worth and offering them the opportunity to reach their full potential. The Youth and Family Services Team comprises of professionally qualified youth and family counsellors with extensive experience working in this specialised area.
On the 26th of March 40 men and women will start a ride from Albany to Perth raising money to help fund the excellent work that Youth Focus does. This will be the fifth Ride for Youth and this year alone they hope to raise over $500 000 through the ride.
You can click here if you’d like to donate.
I’m going to keep up to date with training and preparations for the ride by chatting to a couple of the riders during my morning radio programme on 98.5 Sonshine FM.
I had the first of our chats this morning. I talked to James Sutherland who has been on each of the four rides so far and will be back on the bike this year. I also chatted to Sue Johnston who has been connected to the event since it started but is riding for the first time this year.
You can listen to our conversation by clicking here.
Posted by Rodney Olsen
Technorati Tags: Cycling – Suicide – Radio
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Hi Rodney,
I was first “touched” by suicide when I was in high school. A close mate disappeared over the Easter weekend – he had taken his own life. Apparently he had attempted to find someone to talk to, but being a long weekend many of his friends were away. I remember it like it was yesterday, it was 20 years ago.
Anything we can do to help people avoid such a tragic step is worthwhile.