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

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