Susanna Freymark
Renai Pearce from Sherwood has a blue motorbike in her front yard.
“I’ve suffered from mental illness in the past and have lost people to suicide,” Renai said.
“Through my work I’ve met a lot of motorcycle riders and living on the Summerland Way we have hundreds of motorbikes go past every week.
“So I knew I wanted to be part of the Blue Motorcycle Project. “
She contacted the project and has put a blue motorcycle in her yard so it is visible to riders on Summerland Way.
Renai said there was still a stigma around mental health.
“I think we need to keep pushing awareness of mental health in the community.
“People are not comfortable bringing up their struggles in fear of judgment.”
The whole ‘just suck it up’ or ‘you don’t have it that bad’ or just not wanting to burden their family and friends can inhibit people from getting support, Renai said.
Across rural NSW and Queensland, blue motorcycles are appearing on fences, paddocks and roadsides as part of the Blue Motorcycle Project – a grassroots movement encouraging people to talk openly about mental health and seek help when they’re struggling.
“If you are struggling with mental health reach out to someone. Talk to your family, friends, your doctor or a stranger. It is not a sign of weakness,” Renai said.
The project began in Killarney by lifelong motorbike riders who saw too many people in rural communities lost to suicide.
The idea is simple: put blue motorcycles in visible locations to spark conversations, reduce stigma, and remind people that help is available.
Rural communities are hit hardest by suicide, with three out of every four deaths being men.
Mental health doesn’t have to be a solo ride, is one of the Blue Motorcycle Project sayings.
Could Woodenbong be the next location for a blue motorbike? If you’re interested, contact the project.
Across Kyogle LGA, Kyogle Council has been funding red benches to initiate conversations around domestic violence.
The blue motorbikes aim to do the same around mental health.
For more information or to get involved, visit here.
If you or someone you know needs support, contact:
Lifeline 13 1114
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Suicide call back 1300 659 467