GEELONG Cats ruckman Mitch Clark is hitting the road to raise awareness of ­depression.

The Cats star will lead a Geelong contingent of motorcyclists next month for the Black Dog Ride, which is a national health project aimed at suicide prevention.

Clark, who has had a well-documented battle with ­depression, has encouraged people to take part in the two-hour ride, leaving from Lovely Banks on March 20.

“Sometimes depression makes me not want to leave my room for days because I feel paralysed, but I know I have to keep moving forward to take me to another place other than here,” Clark said.

“Sometimes it makes me not answer the phone for a week because I don’t have the strength to pretend I’m OK anymore, but I know I can’t push my loved ones away ­forever.

“Sometimes it makes me feel like there is no way out, that the walls are closing in, but I know that if I was to take this pain away that I would just be passing it over to someone else.

“Please if you’re struggling, don’t try and carry this weight all by yourself. Reach out and ask for help, we’re in this together.”

Registrations can be made at blackdogride.com.au