Canada’s Ride Don’t Hide movement helping more people step out of the shadows

Media Release: More people are talking about their mental health, but they’re still a small minority

Brampton, Ontario – The movement to overcome the stigma surrounding mental illness in Canada is making progress, but it is slow going.

According to the recently-released second annual Ipsos Canadian Mental Health Check-Up, more Canadians are talking about their mental health than last year – 35 percent, compared with 31 percent – but they remain the minority.

At the same time, more people were classified as “high risk” this year – 35 percent over 33 percent in 2015. And they cite “social context”: social norms, peer pressure, and culture, as the main barrier to managing their mental health.

The recently released survey is a reminder that we have a long way to go before people experiencing a mental illness are as accepted in society as those with a physical illness.

Five years ago, CMHA began hosting Ride Don’t Hide cycling events to help empower people to overcome the stigma of mental illness. The Ride Don’t Hide movement follows the lead of Vancouver school teacher Michael Schratter, who cycled solo around the world in 2011 to, as he said, banish stigma “one pedal at a time.”

“We’re seeing a difference in attitudes as more people join the Ride Don’t Hide movement to end stigma in their community each year,” says CMHA Peel CEO David Smith. “Ride Don’t Hide is a great opportunity for the community to come together and say mental health is important to me, and it’s ok to talk about it.

This year, people on bicycles will take up Michael Schratter’s example in 30 events across the country on June 26, raising money for mental health programs, and creating a different kind of social context.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be at a Ride Don’t Hide event, surrounded by hundreds of your neighbours coming out to show their support for mental health. As you look around you realize, quite simply, stigma can’t exist here,” says Michael Schratter, Ride Don’t Hide founder. “My dream is that one day my children be able to say ‘Stigma? What stigma?’ But we still have a ways to go.”

Nationally, Ride Don’t Hide hopes to attract more than 8,000 riders, who will raise more than $1.5 million for CMHA’s mental health programs. CMHA Peel’s goal is to raise $70,000 for local mental health programs initiatives.

Over 300 cyclists and families are expected to tackle 4 picturesque routes in Caledon. The 20 km Family Ride is traffic-free, utilizing part of the Trans Canada Trail System, with 5 km and 10 km mini-rides for families wanting a shorter distance. The popular road Rides include 25 km, 50 km and 100 km road routes that will challenge experienced cyclists and enthusiasts.

To learn more about Ride Don’t Hide or to join the movement on June 26, visit http://ridedonthide.com/on/ride/peel-region-caledon-hills/ or http://bit.ly/RideInPeel.