Vancouver Island Voices for Eating Disorders (VIVED) is proud to be supporting the B.C. CMHA for the annual “Ride Don’t Hide” event.
“Ride Don’t Hide is a nationwide fundraising bike ride that brings mental health out into the open. Join us for the eighth annual Ride Don’t Hide on June 23, 2019, in over 25 communities across Canada. Ride Don’t Hide is the largest mental health bike ride in Canada with almost 10,000 riders and hundreds more family members, friends and volunteers across Canada taking part, raising more than $2 million each year for the Canadian Mental Health Association. Get on your bike and join the movement. Ride. Don’t hide.”
Everyone deserves to feel well, whatever their mental health experience. In order to thrive, we all need a good sense of self, and we all need purpose, contribution, hope, resilience and belonging. When we hide from each other and from how we’re feeling, we don’t get the support or help we deserve or need. So, Ride Don’t Hide gives thousands of people across Canada the opportunity to connect—to their own mental health, to each other and to their broader communities, while raising critical funds that support CMHA mental health programs and services in their own communities. Ride Don’t Hide events are welcoming community events that build awareness, inclusion and acceptance, and where everyone is encouraged and supported to speak openly about their own mental health.”
The Cause - Why Ride?
2/3 of those with mental health issues do not access help, largely due to stigma.
Over half of Canadians consider anxiety and depression (53%) to be epidemic in Canada.
About 1.2 million Canadian children and youth experience a mental illness, but less than 20% receive help.
85% of Canadians think mental health services are among the most underfunded services in our health care system.
The event takes place from 6:00-12:00 on June 23, 2019. You can register to walk, ride, or volunteer through the CMHA’s website: https://ridedonthide.com/
We will have a booth at the event from 8:00-12:00 on June 23, 2019 (although the actual event starts at 6:00AM). Contact us if you would like to volunteer at our booth (see our contact page for details) or just come by and say hi on the day of the event. We will also be offering rock painting at the event.
We look forward to seeing you there!
- The VIVED team
