Counsellor sparks conversations about mental health in Lichfield’s biking community

• · Sheila McMahon learnt to ride a motorbike following a car crash as a teenager
• · After overcoming her fears of the road, she wanted to help others experiencing mental health issues
• · When out biking Sheila wears a high vis vest with the words ‘Talking Mental Health’, which has inspired conversations in cafes and by the roadside

A mental health counsellor is taking to two wheels across Staffordshire and beyond to spark conversations about mental health issues.

During the covid pandemic, 49-year-old Sheila, who is from Tamworth, says she saw a sharp rise in patients admitting to suicidal thoughts, then vowed to find new ways to reach those reluctant to open up about their mental health. Sheila said: “My mental health went to pot in my twenties; I experienced panic attacks and found it difficult to function. I didn't have a clue what was going on. The whole experience of personal counselling changed my life so much, I wanted to help others.”

Sheila’s motorcycling journey began with the IAM RoadSmart Lichfield Advanced Motorcyclists Group. Despite being involved in a serious car crash at 19—which left her with lingering symptoms of PTSD—she was content to ride as a pillion passenger with her husband, feeling safe and secure in his hands.

At their first post-pandemic meeting, Sheila made a bold promise: if the bikers stepped out of their comfort zone, and pushed themselves to watch her 10-minute YouTube video on suicide prevention, she would confront her own fear and learn to ride a motorcycle.

Sheila said: “Riding solo on a motorbike was something I thought I’d never do. I was involved in an accident a few years ago and had a fear of traffic, although I was happy to ride pillion with my husband. I went along with him to meetings and slowly but surely started to think I could give this a go.”

Along the way, Sheila turned her bike into a mobile conversation starter. Wearing a high-vis vest emblazoned with mental health messages, she has sparked countless conversations in cafés, rest stops, and even during a recent tour of Ireland.

After earning her full motorcycle licence, Sheila is now an Advanced Rider through IAM RoadSmart.

She said: “Becoming an Advanced Rider has really boosted my confidence. I feel more in control, more aware, and way more relaxed on every ride. I never thought I’d love riding a motorbike. Now, it’s not just about the thrill of the ride — it’s about combining pleasure with purpose and encouraging people to open up about their mental health.”

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ENDS

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