Growing up in a traumatic environment, battling alcohol abuse, panic attacks and years of bottled-up pain, Dean reached a moment where he believed life wasn’t worth living. One night he walked into a workshop planning to end his life — but something unexpected stopped him.

That moment became the turning point.

In this deeply personal conversation, Dean shares his journey through childhood trauma, suicide, addiction, grief and the long road to recovery. He talks openly about the stigma men face around mental health, the importance of speaking up, and how helping others through organisations like Black Dog Ride has given his life new meaning.

This episode is about hope, healing, and the power of talking before it’s too late.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for support. You are not alone.

Trigger warning, conversations around suicide, childhood trauma, grief, loss

If you are triggered by this podcast reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14 or call your nearest suicide prevention helpline

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Back in the Studio with IPL Radio
• (00:01:09) - Choosing suicide by drinking heavily
• (00:07:29) - Chris on the abuse he
• (00:13:29) - Mental health recovery, relapse
• (00:21:46) - Adam on his attempt to commit suicide
• (00:27:32) - Black Dog Motorcycle Ride
• (00:31:03) - Black Dog Ride
• (00:36:02) - The Black Dog Charity Ride
• (00:38:36) - Black Dog Ride: A tour across Australia
• (00:43:52) - Mental health helped me get out of a fight
• (00:48:17) - Black Dog Ride: Open Up About My Suicide Attempt
• (00:53:10) - The Black Dog Ride
• (00:56:58) - Fighting Back Against Agro
• (01:02:27) - Mental health on the radio
• (01:06:33) - Black Dog Ride: Help me get off the drugs
• (01:11:00) - Your story on suicide on Radio
• (01:13:12) - Black Dog Rides