Ride Don’t Hide Makes Strides in the Fight Against Stigma
On June 25, ten thousand Canadians from Newfoundland to British Columbia will get on their bikes and join friends, family, colleagues, classmates and other community members to pedal towards the ultimate goal of ending the stigma of mental illness. They will be taking part in the Canadian Mental Health Association’s 4th annual Ride Don’t Hide event, Canada’s largest mental health bike ride.
Spending a day biking and talking about mental health may not seem like a remedy for mental illness, but it might be exactly what Canada needs more of.
The recent 3rd Annual Canadian Mental Health Check-Up by Ipsos Public Affairs found that almost half (48%) of those surveyed reported being more comfortable talking about mental health issues compared to two years ago.
Furthermore, the proportion of Canadians who say they have talked with someone about mental health continues to increase with 42% saying they opened up to someone (most likely a friend, family member or a family doctor) about their mental health in the past year. This is up 7% from last year.
Ride Don’t Hide is a community event and a fundraiser for the CMHA. It gives communities a chance to come together to talk about an issue that affects everyone. Sharing stories and talking about recovery is the key to breaking the stigma that has kept mental illness in the shadows.
“National awareness raising events such as Ride Don’t Hide play an important role in changing the public’s perceptions and in eliminating the stigma surrounding mental illness” says Dr. Patrick Smith, national CEO, CMHA. “This latest Ipsos index is very encouraging as it shows that our work is making a difference in changing people’s behaviours around accessing support.
At the same time, we know we are not there yet. The Ipsos data also shows a growing number of Canadians experiencing mental illness. To stem this increase, we need all Canadians to take part in this national conversation so we can better support those who are struggling. Prevention and recovery are both possible if we prioritize education, early intervention and access to timely treatment”.
Dr. Smith continues: “We are asking Canadians from across the country to ride with us. Mental health for all is our vision, but the process of change happens one pedal at a time.”
“Ride Don’t Hide is now one of our signature events for the Windsor-Essex branch. We are delighted that the event continues to grow each year. Awareness events such as this allow people to come together to talk about mental illness and address the stigma,” says Claudia den Boer, CEO, CMHA-WECB.
The 2017 Ride Champion for the Windsor-Essex Ride is Olympian Noelle Montcalm.
“Each of us requires strong mental health in order to ensure overall wellness. Our mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and social domains are all intertwined, which means keeping them in balance is extremely important for overall well being. “
Ride Don’t Hide is open to cyclists of all ages and skill levels. Registration is $40 until June 24 and $50 on June 25 for youth and adults and free for children 12 and under. Individuals, families and teams can register online.
