The Black Dog Ride is a motorcycle ride running from all capitals in Australia to Alice Springs in August each year.  They also conduct one day rides in March each year. The purpose of the Black Dog Ride is to raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention.

Many of the riders have been touched in some way either personally or through their friends and family. The experience of being touched by any health issue tends to make one take more notice, particularly if something can be done about it. These rides provide great opportunities for riders to talk to each other. Furthermore, because the Ride to the Red Centre travels through so many towns, riders have a great opportunity to meet with ordinary members of the community along the way. It's amazing how many open up and speak of their personal experiences. Some have never felt comfortable in talking about them previously.

This Sunday, the 18th August sees Wedderburn host a Mental Health Awareness Day from 11am to 3pm at the Wedderburn Community House, 24 Wilson Street Wedderburn.

This day is in part being organised around the arrival of the Black Dog Ride in Wedderburn for lunch. Wedderburn has been extremely supportive of the Black Dog Ride over the last two years and local person Ric Raftis who is the Victorian Co-ordinator for the ride will be making his third trip to the Alice. It is fantastic that the ride is able to stop in Wedderburn and thank the people who have been so supportive of this mental health ride.

The Black Dog Ride is all about raising awareness of depression and suicide prevention. All funds raised this year will be split between Lifeline and Mental Health First Aid to assist in funding their programs. Leo Shultz from the Bendigo Lifeline office will be in attendance on the day, as will Jenny Singe from Headspace in Bendigo to create awareness of the programs offered to young people by that organisation.

Depression is often referred to as "The Black Dog". According to Wikipedia, the term "The Black Dog" was first used by the English writer Samuel Johnson. It was then popularised by Sir Winston Churchill who also used the term to describe his own depression. As a result the term "The Black Dog" is in common use today to describe depression.

But what exactly is depression? It can be so different for so many people and sometimes words are not enough to describe the feelings, or lack therof, that are involved. A video might be easier to understand.

Mental illness is a subject often regarded as taboo in our society. It has been well established as an illness and yet many people have difficulty in talking about it in the same way they talk about broken legs, cancer or heart disease. With depression being one of the most common mental illnesses, it is important that people can talk about their illness, particularly with family and friends so that others can understand what someone with depression may be going through.

According to Beyond Blue, the National Depression Initiative, Depression is the most common of all mental illnesses and affects one in five Australians.

Depression as a concept is not all that uncommon these days thank goodness. This has been largely due to media coverage in news items, television shows about the illness and many high profile people who have come out declaring that they have the illness.

But exactly what is depression? How can we define it for someone who may actually be experiencing it for the first time?

First of all, we should recognize that life is not a complete bed of roses. Everyone of us has emotional ups and downs that impact upon how we feel. Depression is the “downer” part of our feelings but not until certain criteria are fulfilled. Up until that stage, the term sad is more appropriate.

So what is depression? Well depression can best be summed up as prolonged periods of sadness, but of a deeper variety. Some people describe depression as being void of all feelings, of feeling nothing at all. Many symptoms can present themselves such as constant lethargy, ignoring personal hygiene, loss of interest in hobbies and other activities previously enjoyed, lack of motivation and an uncaring attitude to loved ones and friends.

This is not to say that all these symptoms need to be present, but if you recognize a few, then perhaps it's time to talk to an experienced professional about your state of mind.

Types of Depression

Depression doesn't necessarily come in the plain vanilla variety. There are several different types, often caused by different reasons. We shall try and cover some of them here.

1. Circumstantial Depression
Circumstantial depression is probably the most common form of the illness. It can strike anyone at any time, but it is the circumstances in which people find themselves that brings on the illness.  It is quite normal to feel sad or depressed when you lose a loved one, your job or perhaps your business is threatened with financial hardship. Often the stress of these events can be overwhelming and depression can set in.

The good news is that this type of depression is completely treatable and will pass with both time and a resolution to the circumstances that you find yourself in.

2. Post Natal & Ante Natal Depression
Adjusting to life as a mother can be difficult for some women. It can involve a lot of stress. These depressive episodes are reasonably common in women and not to be ignored. In particular, post natal depression can have severe impacts on the care of the newborn child as well as the mother. Partners and family should be on the lookout for signs of such depression and assist in getting the mother to take action.

For more information on Post Natal & Ante Natal Depression you can visit the Beyond Blue website information on Post Natal and Ante Natal Depression or the Post and Ante Natal Depression Association (PANDA).

3. Chronic Depression
Chronic Depression is the worst form of depression because people who have this form have it for life. The most important thing in these cases is good management. Usually this involved medication and perhaps psychological intervention also to help the patient manage the illness. Most importantly though, you cannot do it by yourself. Help is needed to effectively generate improvement in your health and help you to live a relatively normal lifestyle.

Further Information On Depression

Following are some links where you can get further information about depression.  Remember though that reading about it is important, but doing something about it is even more important.

Black Dog Institute

Beyond Blue

Sane Australia

Post & Ante Natal Depression Association