Black Dog Ride USA

We are coordinating a 1-Day Black Dog Ride USA motorcycle fundraiser. This ride will be held on Sunday, October 2, 2016, departing from Lake Elsinore, riding rural two-lane roads, ending in Julian. We are hoping you can share your support for our mission and donate items to be used for our raffle or make a monetary donation. Funds raised and donated will be directly deposited to National Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and are tax deductible.

The mission of Black Dog Ride USA is “to raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention”.

To give you a little background, in 2008, regional West Australian small businessman and longtime motorcyclist, Steve Andrews, who lost his own mother to suicide 15 years earlier, stood at the wake of a close friend who had taken her life and knew he had to do something to prevent the tragedy of suicide. In 2009, Steve embarked on a 26 day, 9,000 mile ride around Australia, carrying with him a soft toy black dog he named Winston, after Sir Winston Churchill who famously wrote about being hounded by the “black dog of depression”. Steve called it his Black Dog Ride.

Black Dog Ride has evolved into a nationally registered Australian charity raising awareness of depression and suicide prevention, Black Dog Ride has been immensely successful in raising $2,100,000 in vital funds for mental health organizations worldwide.

In 2015, Black Dog Ride came to the USA. Over 21 days, 65 riders and passengers covered approximately 4,800 miles from New York City to Los Angeles on the Black Dog Ride Across America. Many friends were made along the way as we advanced the mission of Black Dog Ride to aid those living with the effects of depression or suicide, either directly or indirectly.

Due to the nature of their work, first responders and military veterans are at higher risk for developing depression, PTSD and experience a tragically high rate of suicide amongst their ranks. Black Dog Ride liaised with many First Responders and Military Veterans and their families whilst traveling across the U.S. Partnering with American organizations-the National Council for Behavioral Health and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) funds were raised to provide training in MHFA so people can intervene in a time of crisis or serve as local resources for those in need. The response in the USA was so overwhelmingly positive that Black Dog Ride USA was founded.

Central to the mission of Black Dog Ride USA is that the funds raised in the U.S. will remain in the U.S. and be used to support local efforts. Any and all help, monetary, logistical, donated raffle items or ride support is greatly appreciated. Additionally, you will be helping to start a national conversation of these unspoken issues.

I’m reaching out to you in hope of gaining your participation and interest in joining us in raising awareness of depression and suicide prevention on a national scale in the USA via Black Dog Ride’s annual 1-Dayer. You will be part of a community project that empowers riders, volunteers, and community members to speak up about depression in order to prevent suicide. Ultimately, Black Dog Ride USA aims to achieve an enjoyable and memorable ride for American Black Dog Riders while starting conversations and raising awareness of depression and suicide prevention.

Best regards,
Riverside County, CA Ride Coordinators
Steve Mitchell (951) 675-8578
Stacey Mitchell (951) 675-8579
intinv@verizon.net