Locals in Wilcannia are encouraged to head down to Ray Hunter Park next Tuesday, May 20 between 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM for a unique event combining roaring engines, tasty tucker, and important health checks.

Psychs on Bikes, a group of motorcycling mental health professionals, will be rolling into town, offering a chance to check out their bikes, grab a free BBQ feed, and get some quick health checks done, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks.

Most importantly, the team will be available for a friendly chat about how you're travelling.

These folks are keen to connect with the community and provide an easy, non-threatening way for people to talk about their mental wellbeing.

If you've been meaning to have a yarn about things weighing on your mind, this is a perfect opportunity.

Don't be shy – get along to Ray Hunter Park and say g'day!

The sight of mental health professionals cruising into outback towns on motorcycles might seem a bit out of the ordinary, but it's the driving force behind an incredible initiative called Psychs on Bikes (PoB).

This organisation has been hitting the road since 2011 with a mission to bring mental health support to rural and remote Australia.

The whole idea kicked off during a motorcycle ride across the vast Nullarbor Plains back in 2011.

The founder, Dr Joseph Dunn, known affectionately as the 'Fat Controller', combined his passion for motorcycle touring with his work in mental health.

Along with a couple of colleagues, this cross-country journey sparked the concept that would become Psychs on Bikes.

Dr Dunn, who completed his medical degree in Auckland in 1978 and became a Fellow of the RANZCP in 1990, has since inspired a wide range of mental health professionals from all corners of the country to join him on these epic rides across Australia.

Since its inception, PoB has delivered more than a thousand one-on-one health checks in regional and remote areas.

The core aim is to visit areas where mental illness is more prevalent and services are often less readily available compared to the cities.

Notably, suicide rates are much higher in these parts of the country.

The unique approach of having motorcycling mental health professionals visit these towns helps attract attention and encourages people, particularly some men who might typically be hesitant to seek help, to undergo a "men's health check".

Beyond the practical health checks, a really significant outcome of their work has been raising individuals' awareness of the impact of their mental suffering, not just on themselves but on their families too.

They also work hard to destigmatise the idea of seeking help and assist people in identifying ways they can start helping themselves.

It's not just about helping the community; the rides also allow the mental health professionals involved to share the experience of the 'open road' and develop lasting bonds that extend beyond the trips and into their everyday lives.

Psychs on Bikes is also committed to fostering a respectful environment, holding a zero-tolerance policy for any form of discrimination, bullying, harassment, or abuse, and aiming to educate others to uphold the same standard.

It's clear that what started as a love for bikes and a passion for mental health on a ride across the Nullarbor has grown into a vital service making a real difference in the lives of Australians in the bush.