The statistics around suicide in Australia are alarming – almost 3000 Australians take their own lives every year – that is more than eight per day. What is more concerning is that those statistics include one or more Australians under the age of 25 every day.
Suicide remains the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15-44 and children aged 5-17. Hundreds more young people die as a result of suicide each year than are killed on our roads.
The figures are alarming and shocking and are a key reason why Citadel-MAGNUS is a strong supporter of Youth Focus and is once again participating in the Hawaiian Ride For Youth, the firm’s fourth year as a team sponsor.
Team Citadel-MAGNUS, this year made up of Citadel-MAGNUS Partner Michael Weir, Citic Pacific Executive Rob Newton, King & Wood Mallesons Partner Nigel Hunt, Winston Capital’s Andrew Fairweather and Palo Alto Networks Manager Martin Harris, are taking part in the Ride to raise awareness of youth suicide, depression, anxiety and self-harm and help raise valuable funds for Youth Focus. Youth Focus supports young people and their families by offering a range of free and unlimited expert mental health services to help at risk 12-25 year olds.
Over 4.5 days in March 2018 more than 180 cyclists will take part in the Ride For Youth, riding 700km in four pelotons from Albany or Geraldton to Perth through the South West, Great Southern, Wheatbelt or Mid-West, stopping at schools along the way to engage with students on issues of youth suicide, depression, anxiety and self-harm.
Team Citadel-MAGNUS will be part of the Wheatbelt peloton, travelling from Albany through Gnowangerup, Kojonup, Katanning, Wagin, Narrogin, and Pinjarra, helping to remove some of the stigma surrounding youth mental health issues.
Riders are now half way through the training program having covered more than 2000km during 5.30am rides every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
To learn more about the Ride For Youth, click here or to support Team Citadel-MAGNUS, please click here to visit the team page and donate.
