Mental Health Motorbike

I have only been involved in Mental Health Motorbike for about seven months, I was going through an extremely low patch, needed someone to turn to for help and thank God I found this wonderful group on Facebook.

I have suffered with anxiety and depression for years, had been recently diagnosed with ADHD and at that point was on nineteen tablets a day for all my ills, which included dangerously high blood pressure, previous addiction problems, mostly alcohol and total lack of self-esteem. I’m sixty-two and was thinking - Is this it? What now?

I love my bikes or should I say I love my Ducatis, that’s closer to the truth. I found Mental Health Motorbike  (MHMb) and reached out. It was very much like the first time I walked into a detox clinic, the hardest step is the one over the threshold and closing the door behind you, then you’ve done it and that’s the hardest part.

We all have our issues in some way, shape or form and turn to outside factors to give us instant gratification or just make us feel better for the moment, they can be a multitude of things but all they’re doing is treating the symptom not the root of the problem. Until we address that we are no better off, no medication can cure something that might’ve been with you since childhood, we just didn’t know it.

The group took me in with open arms, I feel 100% comfortable and I can express feelings and thoughts honestly, openly, without embarrassment and I know I won’t be judged. All I will receive are wise words, encouragement, love, help and support. We are not therapists but may point you in the right direction and offer advice.

We have recently had a few bereavement issues and I always point our friends to Cruse Bereavement Counselling who are specialists in their field and helped me so much when I lost my mum. MHMb is about solutions, not being afraid to reach out and ask for help when we need it and we will always be there through thick and thin. We have all had problems of our own and know what it’s like, so it’s wonderful to have that cushion to rest on and seek solace in.

MHMb is a place where we can be honest, have an outlet and share. I’m so proud to be part of it and I think it’s the first time I’ve felt like I’m doing something worthwhile in a very long time. The charity is very strong in the north of the country but sadly lacking in the south, I intend to do something about that and if LAM can help me in any way that would be amazing, I’ve already got SMART on board but LAM as well would be a force to be reckoned with. Phoenix are already supporters.

I’ve attached a couple of links below. We have the fund-raising ride coming up, in which we relay a toy bear around the country and although the principal bear carrying places are filled, we need support riders to accompany, help and promote. I am riding fifty miles with a bear, sod’s law says it will be in the middle of the night, chucking it down and I could really do with some company, I might even buy the teas and coffees for those brave enough.

I have been riding bikes for thirty-seven years, eighteen of those Advanced thanks to LAM, hopefully RoSPA Gold in the next few months, fingers crossed. Everyone thinks we are mad as hatters for doing it and they are probably right but in all those years I have never met a fellow biker I didn’t have an immediate bond with. I think that speaks volumes.

If you feel the need for support, or if you’d like to volunteer please follow this link for further information: http://www.mhmotorbike.com/.  The group also has a Facebook page, which is monitored 24 hours a day http://www.facebook.com/mhmotorbike.

Darren Hatch