It’s easy (and understandable) to become trapped in negative thinking at times like this – stuck at home, isolated, and unsure of the future. But the smallest action, daily ritual or mantra can be a perfect and priceless antidote.
We’re asking members of our UNE community to share with us what is bringing them joy and hope.
Exercise and ample sleep has always been the perfect balm for Professor in Social Work Myf Maple during challenging times. She loves walking in nature, but says there’s nothing like cycling to de-stress and restore perspective.
“It boosts my mental and physical health and provides huge social benefits,” Myf says. “I love riding outside, but it’s also fantastic being part of Cycling Mums Australia and riding online with a wonderful community of women from all around the world.”
Myf has a weekly target of cycling 120-150km and set herself the challenge this year of cycling the distance from the tip of far north Queensland down the east coast of Australia to Victoria (5726km). This month, she’ll step things up a gear by tackling the more intensive Cycle Around the Globe, in support of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP).
Starting today – World Suicide Prevention Day – Myf will pedal hard for a month in the hope of raising $3318, which represents the number of Australians who die by suicide each year. (See update below for how she went.)
“I wanted to link my target to something meaningful,” she says, “and the wonderful thing about such fundraisers is that they help you to focus on others. My work always reminds me that there are people more vulnerable than me.
"Through an altruistic activity you are able to help people you don’t know. It takes you above and beyond your regular sphere and gives you back much more than the mental and physical benefits of the exercise. This way I can cycle with more purpose and mindfulness. And when I talk to others about what I am doing, about mental health and suicide, that often leads to other people reaching out for support and services, and that’s good as well.”
With September being “the worst month for magpies”, Myf is carefully charting her outside routes and expecting to do a fair bit of the cycling indoors in this, her third Cycle Around the Globe. It aims to raise awareness for suicide prevention efforts and IASP’s evidence-based action to reduce the incidence of suicide and suicidal behaviour.
To support her fundraising efforts, go to https://iasp.enthuse.com/pf/myf-maple
UPDATE:
It can be easy to beat ourselves up when we fall short of our goals. Initially Myf was disappointed when she didn’t reach her target of raising $3318 (the number of Australians who die each year by suicide) in the recent Cycle Around the Globe.
But then she reflected more deeply on her effort in support of the International Association for Suicide Prevention. “And I came to the conclusion that failure is not a crime, but aiming low is,” Myf says. “It’s about the journey and not the destination and, in this case, the conversations you have along the way. Whether or not people donate is secondary to me; what’s most important is raising awareness of the importance of mental health and suicide prevention, and I think I contributed to that.”
Myf did raise a very commendable $888 and pedalled an impressive 445 kilometres during the month-long fundraiser. And, without hesitation, she’s about to get back on her bike again!
“Yes, I’ve put my hand up to give another ride a go, and hopefully it will inspire more conversations,” Myf says. “Despite what we hear in the media, the data is not showing a rise in suicide deaths as a result of COVID. But it is showing a rise in the number of people feeling distressed and, importantly, more are also reaching out for help, and that’s what we want.”
So, over the four-day Melbourne Cup weekend, Myf hopes to clock up 100 km in the Ride with Me campaign in support of Love Me Love You. All money raised will help the charity to deliver community education around mental ill health and suicide within sporting groups and communities.
“Again, it’s something practical I can do that is aligned with my area of research and passion, where I feel I can make a difference and have a voice,” Myf says. “The side benefit is that cycling helps to keep me fit and healthy and is good for my own mental health.”
To support Myf’s latest fundraising effort, go to https://ride-with-me-2021.raisely.com/myf-maple
