Making a difference for mental health

A phone call telling Bernie Garvey he had saved someone's life inspired him to continue raising awareness about depression and suicide prevention.
The Black Dog Ride targets rural areas where Bernie said it was crucial to get people talking.
When Bernie received a random phone call from someone he had met in one of those small towns, the voice said "you may not remember me...but that day you saved my life."
Bernie was riding at the time and pulled over to take the call. "I was crying in my helmet...but that's why I do it. Not everyone is comfortable with professional help but they feel comfortable telling their story," he said.
Black Dog Ride has a history of visiting areas that are doing it tough to raise awareness of depression and suicide.
As well as spreading the message, Bernie said the side benefit was riders spending money in pubs, cafes and hotels along the way.
On Thursday, Bernie led a group of 36 riders from Noojee into Warragul for an overnight stay.
The ride coincides with the Phillip Island Australian Superbike Championships and this year's route set off from Thornton on February 19 before heading into New South Wales and back down to Bombala and into Gippsland from Sale to Walhalla, across to Noojee.
Bernie, who is the ride state co-ordinator, enjoyed being back where he grew up in Trafalgar, attended school at Marist Sion College and still has family in the area.
He got involved in the ride in 2017.
"It's great fun. I have a personal connection to mental health so I want to make sure everyone else is ok.
"Family events caused me to have a connection and now I can't let it go. I run my own business so it's a good release for me and good for my health.
"When we stop and talk to people it's astounding how people gravitate to us.
"It's all about talking to people, and it's about rolling through country towns putting money back into communities," he said.
Bernie said the riders came from all over Victoria, Hobart, ACT and NSW. For some it is an annual journey.
"We all have some sort of lived experience whether personal or family and we can relate to others with no agenda and no judgement.
"I have met some astounding people - some who struggle everyday and others who run very successful businesses and want to give back," he said.
The seven day ride covers about 400 kilometres a day, with a focus on regional community.
"We pop into pubs every night and they (strangers) blow me away that they talk to us because they know they can talk to us without judgement and know we have walked the walk in some description.
"Essentially the bikes are an attraction tool. People wander over for a chat and the word spreads," he said.