How a motorbike club is helping men with their mental health as they find a ‘brotherhood’ on the road

Burning rubber makes this group feel alive. It's a little bit more thrilling than riding in a car part way through a 1300 kilometre loop of WA's vast Pilbara region. With years of experience between them working in harsh conditions, they're riding to help colleagues struggling with their mental health. I've lost a few good mates through suicide and health issues, so this is where it's kind of all come about. Many in the group started life in this mining heartland as FIFO workers, hoping to build a fortune. There's a few guys, there's single dads, they miss their kids, they're struggling. You know, you, you, it's all right when you're at work, but when you're at home by yourself and your mind's just ticking over and you miss your kids, the mental strain is too often too much. Northern W as suicide rate is among the highest in the country, There is still quite a lot of stigma around mental health, although it's definitely improved in the in the past decade or so. And so it, you know, creating those natural environments where people can just form friendships and, you know, say, are you OK, can actually be incredibly powerful. And just remember, we're all we're all all on this road together. On nights like these, it's easy to make friends on the road is all like minded people. So you, you're gonna find a brotherhood. Now, many of the guys here work for big mining companies like Rio Tinto and BHP. Those companies have official channels where people can seek professional help. But the organisers say it's more informal events like here at the Port Hedland Motorcycle Club clubhouse that really allow men to open up and speak out. And it's not just a boys club. I feel so safe for these guys. These guys are amazing. They're just, you know, they're really out there to help and encourage like female riders. The ride has raised more than $6000 and that will be donated to the Royal Flying Doctor and St. John's Ambulance services.