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Clearwater 11:15am - 18,857 views
Kamloops 4:00am - 14,967 views
With its $20,000 target already reached the night before, the fourth annual Ride Don’t Hide charity ride got an extra boost as cyclists set off Sunday, June 26, from Centennial Park in Westsyde.
About 130 riders registered for the event, but there were probably more than that with best possible weather organizers could have hoped for — sunny and cool.
“We needed an event like this to tell everyone it’s OK to speak up,” said Kayla Morrison, this year ride “champion,” who from the experience of her own struggles.
One in three people suffers mental illness at some point in life, yet attitudes rooted in an age-old social stigma continue. Morrison said she felt guilty once diagnosed.
“We are constantly being told that medication is frowned upon and ‘You’re pain is not real,’ ” Morrison said. “This is about a chemical imbalance, something I can’t control in my brain.”
Over the past five years, the national event has become the primary community fundraiser for the Canadian Mental Health Association, making the most of a message designed to foster a broader awareness of mental health and wellbeing.
“There’s too many people suffering and we knew we had to address this challenge,” said Jim Motokado of Shoppers Drug Mart in Valleyview. The retailer has a campaign specifically supporting women’s health.
Stepping out from the shadows of mental illness isn’t easy, said Health Minister Terry Lake. He, too, spoke from direct experience with family.
“It’s just as frustrating for me as minister as it is for families dealing with mental illness. It’s not that simple,” he said before joining about 150 participants in the five-, 10 and 23-km event.
Unfortunately, Kamloops was not selected as one of the centres chosen to pilot a Transition Youth program for young people aged 15-25, he said. Youth with mental illness often slip between the cracks as they transition to adults.
“I guarantee as it expands across the province, Kamloops will have this program,” Lake said.
Funds raised go toward local programs for women and girls, youth and families as wells as for education and prevention, said CMHA Christa Mullaly, executive director in Kamloops.
