Rally ride for teen suicide

Horowhenua Tribal Nations WGP 30Aug17 - HOROWHENUA Tribal Nations riders Gordon Gregory, Galen Burgersen, Richard Tatana, Jeremy Gregory and Kina Gregory. PHOTO/ASHLEIGH COLLIS

Motorcyclists from across the country will be hitting the highways next month to raise awareness of teen suicide.

It has prompted Horowhenua's Tribal Nations motorcycle community to stand up and say "enough is enough".

Horowhenua resident and Tribal Nations member Richard Tatana said that many from their motorcycle community had been affected by the "black dog" that was suicide.

Tatana said that at a recent rally of 200 riders, they were asked to raise their hand if they hadn't been affected by suicide. Only one person raised their hand.

"It should be the other way around, but it's not," he said.

"We call suicide the black dog because it describes something that is horrible and shouldn't be happening.

"We are trying to change that by being proactive and positive advocates. If one life could be saved, then it's all worth it."

They are inviting all riders to join them on the ride from Levin to Upper Hutt then on to Wairarapa, on Saturday September 9, organised by Wellington Riders Against Teenage Suicide (RATS).

Motorcyclists will meet at Fatboys, corner of Oxford and Durham St, Levin between 7.30am-8.30am.

Levin East School's Kapa Haka group will be doing a sausage sizzle and anyone else who wants to show their support for those affected by suicide can also come along.

The only rules of the ride are no drugs, no alcohol and no back patches. A Wellington RATS registration of $20 applies.

Where to get help:

• LIFELINE: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• SUICIDE CRISIS HELPLINE: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633
• NEED TO TALK? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)
• KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757