Cyclists set out to celebrate life
9 January 2010
Following the suicides of her second cousins, Mike and Tony*, Alison Blyth decided it was time she did something to help
raise awareness around depression.
People with depressive or mood disorders are at higher risk of suicide and depression is a key risk factor for suicide
in young people.
Motivated by the death of her family members and her own experience of depression, and with a passion for cycling, the
half Kiwi, half Aussie mother and lawyer organised Ride Out of the Blue, a 27-day challenge that will see participants
cover over 2,300km as they ride from Bluff to Cape Reinga throughout March.
“I have experienced depression and understand how it can affect someone’s life” explains Alison. “I was blessed to have
amazing support to help me through it. This experience makes me feel that I need to ‘pay it back’, for example by
organising this ride to raise awareness so that others can have the help that was there for me.”
As Alison and her fellow cyclists progress up the country, they will be looking for opportunities to participate in
community events that not only encourage discussion around mental health but also raise money for the Mental Health
Foundation. This money will be used by the Foundation to continue our free nationwide information service and our work
towards eliminating the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness.
“Alison’s commitment to the event and to the Foundation is incredibly exciting” says Judi Clements, Chief Executive of
the Mental Health Foundation. “Ride Out of the Blue has the potential to be a hugely successful event, raising awareness
and discussion on mental health throughout the country.”
Ride Out of the Blue is endorsed by Counties Manukau New Zealand Police and Police Officer David Glossop is one of the
riders confirmed for the event. The event also has the support of RideStrong, New Zealand's cycling community dedicated
to a safer and more enjoyable riding experience for all.
The event is open to anyone for either the entire challenge or individual legs.
For more information on how to support Alison, either by participating in the event, or to donate money in support of
the event, or to help raise awareness of the event in your community, please visit the Ride Out of the Blue official
website – (www.rideoutoftheblue.com)
For more information on the risk factors and warning signs (www.spinz.org.nz/file/downloads/pdf/SPINZ-1-2010.pdf) for suicide, visit www.spinz.org.nz
ENDS