Almost a year ago to the day, David Graden lost one of his best mates to suicide.
Paul Strange died on December 9, 2016, and his passing tore apart a close and loving family, according to Mr Graden.
Having watched Paul’s family struggle to cope with his death, Mr Graden decided to do something to send a message to men to speak up about how they were feeling before it was too late.
Mr Graden, who said he had faced his his own battles with “the black dog” of depression, decided to get on his pushbike and ride 300 kilometres from Margaret River to Perth, passing through Mandurah on December 8 in the hope of raising awareness.
“I’m telling guys not to suffer in silence,” he said.
“I also suffered myself, and I had to get help myself, so I understand.
“It took me 18 years to finally ask for help and I just needed someone in my younger days to tell me it was okay. That’s the point I was trying to get across.”
Mr Graden said he was doing the ride in a mask, which symbolises the way men hide their emotions behind a veneer of happiness.
“The significance behind the mask is because I want to target the men who are hiding behind a mask,” he said.
“They’re hiding behind masks, they laugh and say it’s okay and they don’t show their family what they’re really feeling, but they’re battling inside.”
Mr Graden said he wasn’t raising money, because there were plenty of charities doing that already.
He just wanted to get the message out that it was okay for men to talk to someone about how they were feeling.
For more information go to achanceforchange.org.au.
Support is available by calling Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800, Lifeline on 131 114, or beyondblue on 1300 22 46 36.