You ok, mate?

With so many of us being affected by mental health issues, let’s fight back – together.

Let me take a slight detour from talking about motorcycling. I promise I’ll get back to it very soon, but first consider this: most of us will at some point in our lives be impacted by mental health issues, either fighting our own demons or witnessing the suffering of someone else. Even if you can’t think of anyone with problems like that in your life, the chances are that the issues are there, they’re just under your radar.

And unfortunately, no, I don’t say that just to try and grab your attention. I say it because the figures suggest that statistically you would be extremely lucky to have completely escaped this. In England, for instance, one in four people are reported to experience a mental health problem of some kind each year.

Covid has exacerbated the situation for many, stopped them doing the things that could have helped them, and made it harder to access help.

There’s help for those who are suffering from mental health problems, as well as those close to them, but it’s not always easy to open up about the issues, or even accept that there is a problem in the first place. For generations, we have been told to pull ourselves together, brush it off — stiff upper lip and all that. You can do that for so long, but this is an illness that may well need treatment, and it needs to be recognised as such. Just because the injury is not visible, it doesn’t mean it will just vanish if ignored.

I have been lucky that the people in my life who I know to have had issues with their mental health have all sought and received help. This is not a small number of people. Some got help early, others found it more difficult. For some, things have improved with just small changes in their lives, while others have battled long and hard. Some still do. Luckily, they are all still here.

We all need to try and remember to have each other’s backs. Sometimes, just a simple ‘You ok, mate?’ and a friendly chat is enough to turn the tide, sometimes much more is needed.

To help paint the picture of what we’re dealing with, we have a feature about mental health in this issue. I hope you find it useful.

And yes, there is a link to motorcycling. Bikers have a great advantage here, as motorcycling is a fantastic antidote for depression. The thrill of the ride is popping ‘happy hormones’ into our brain, the social aspect of it provides an outlet if we feel we need to talk, and the concentration required for riding provides a mental escape from our worries.

Even better, what we – you and me – as the MSL family have in common, is that we are among the nicest people I know, and we can make a difference. So, let’s make a pact: next time you’re out with your biking buddies, no matter how tough and sorted they seem, ask them if they’re okay, and listen to what they say. Or if you feel down in the dumps yourself, tell your mates, or tell the professionals (contact details on p. 83). We’ll get through this – together!