Redlands groups well represented in Mental Health Week tour through central Queensland

The tour, to start next week, will take the group through places like Gayndah, Monto, Blackwater, Emerald and Roma.

Victoria Point man and Queensland Health worker Ken Meldrum is one of those involved in the trip, which is set to be completed inside four days.

He said the groups would host information sessions about suicide prevention and self care for locals along the way.

Mr Meldrum would normally have completed a tour with Black Dog Ride but the event was cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He said the central Queensland trip was focused on raising awareness about mental health.

"Wherever we go, we are prepared to pull up and host events where we talk about suicide prevention and self care," Mr Meldrum said.

"It is about giving back to the community. We are not there to raise money or sell paraphernalia.

"We are all out there to give back to the communities.

"It is the first time I have been able to organise a really big partnership.

"A lot of organisations have been really happy to come on board because they know what these people have gone through with the droughts, floods and fires."

The group will set off from Cleveland Showgrounds on Thursday, October 15 about 7am.

Organisations involved in the tour include Redland Coast Suicide Prevention Network, Black Dog Ride, ManKind Project and local rotary clubs.

"Normally we will do more localised events (during mental health week)," Meldrum said.

"Last year I supported local events around Logan, the bayside and Brisbane.

"I do what is called a Fast Track Pit Stop, where I check people's blood pressure, measure their waist and also ask how they deal with stress.

"That is a ten-point self check and is where the conversation starts.

"I don't think we do enough to support a lot of males in our community and I don't think we do enough to get out and talk about what the issues are," he said.

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