Ride-don't-Hide logo from CMHA website

By Dori Modney

"Ride Don't Hide"

#YQL “Ride Don’t Hide” – Do it for you or for someone who needs your help

Jun 3, 2021 | 1:26 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB. — Everyone feels the pressure of daily struggles and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made the situation much more difficult. Masks, isolation, economic insecurity, restrictions on activities, not being able to see friends and family or being able to get that soul-enhancing hug from a loved one!

Some of us have a support system and may take for granted the fact that many of those around us do not. You may want to reach out and help, but don’t know what to do for a friend or family member. Sometimes, professional help is needed.

The words ‘Mental Health’ have become the ‘buzz words’ of late, again, compounded by the pandemic. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has reported Canada’s metal health system was failing even before COVID hit.

Statistics show that every year 1.6 million Canadians don’t get the mental health care they need. While Canada has a great universal health care system, mental health care takes a backseat, with dangerously long wait lists for access and much of the needed care isn’t covered, such as addiction counsellors, psychologists and specialized support workers.

Open discussions about mental health have done a lot to remove the veil surrounding what was once a hushed subject. However, there is more that can be done.

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The CMHA supports “Ride don’t Hide” as a way to increase awareness and raise funds for mental health. In the past nine years, it’s become the largest mental health bike ride in Canada, involving thousands of people who have raised millions of dollars for community health.

This Sunday, you can take part with thousands of riders across the country who will ride for mental health, either as a family, a group of friends or co-workers. This is NOT a race – it’s an easy ride to get active and raise funds for CMHA. All money raised in Lethbridge, stays in Lethbridge!

Immanuel Lutheran Church, at 20 Rocky Mountain Blvd. in West Lethbridge, will be hosting a community bike ride in support of mental health Sunday, June 6 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Follow these steps to participate and have fun!

— Commit to Getting Outside! You and a group of up to five people commit to going for a bike ride or a walk.

— Join our YQL Ride Don’t Hide Team by visiting the Canadian Mental Health Association link: https://cmha.donordrive.com/team/6432

— Call the church office at 403-327-4336 to arrange a start time between 9:00 am to 2:00 pm because we are sending out groups every 15-minutes (due to distancing rules).

To Donate: https://cmha.donordrive.com/team/6432

Join us on Facebook to help promote the event:

https://www.facebook.com/YQLRideDontHide2021

Previous ‘Ride Don’t Hide” participants – from CMHA website