Lismore’s Neil Marks ‘Chasing the Dog’ around Australia to raise awareness about depression and other mental health conditions

A prominent Lismore man – a former broadcaster, councillor and deputy mayor – is embarking on a nationwide motorbike trek to raise awareness about depression and mental health. Here’s his story.

A North Coast personality is challenging himself to a six-week motorcycle trek around Australia to raise awareness about depression and mental health.

Former broadcaster, Lismore city councillor and deputy mayor Neil Marks will set off “Chasing the Dog” on Saturday.

Neil Marks talking to the Star about a prostate cancer diagnosis. Picture: The Northern Star archives/Cathy Adams

“Six weeks, 16,000km around the edge of Australia, the “big island” – sorry Tasmania hopefully next time,” Mr Marks said.

“I was diagnosed with depression in January 2022 after visiting the doctor because things just didn’t seem right,”

Mr Marks has spent the last two and a half years learning how to live, or cope, with depression.

He said he has come a long way since the early days with the help of doctors, a psychologist and the support of family and friends.

When he was first aware of not feeling quite right, Mr Marks hit the computer and went to all the relevant websites for information and support. Even though he found lots of useful information, he said he did not recognise himself in any of the stories.

“Recognition that you are not the only one is extremely important to moving forward,” he said.

Mr Marks started asking questions of people around him and found many he knew had at one time or another suffered in similar ways with poor mental health – some were still suffering.

Neil Marks sets off from Lismore Showgrounds today.

He said comparing experiences lead to a greater understanding of his own situation.

“In some ways, I learnt more from them than I did the professionals I was seeing,” he said.

Equipped with insight and the encouragement of his psychologist, Mr Marks started to share his story on social media, on Facebook page Neil Marks, Chasing the Dog.

He said he found relief in sharing his story, but also supporting and helping others share their stories privately.

“It is extremely humbling that people feel safe with you, for them to tell their own stories of struggle for themselves or those around them,” he said.

Mr Marks is gearing up.

Mr Marks, armed with the confidence of his own journey and retelling those of others, decided to take it further and Chasing the Dog 2024 came to be.

He hopes the six-week solo trip around the “big island” will help change perceptions of those who live with depression and other mental health conditions.

“I never thought it would be me going through this, but if I can show that a 63-year-old who suffers depression can still get out there and take on an extreme challenge while sharing my story, anyone can,” Mr Marks said.

The radio host will head north into the warmer weather on his Triumph Tiger 800 that he bought two years ago, just for a trip like this.

“I’ve got three GoPro camera’s for the trip and will be updating it on my Facebook and Instagram as I go,” Mr Marks said.

Mr Marks departs from Lismore Showgrounds at 11am.

Got a news tip? email [e-mail]