Please ride, don't hide

NEWS RELEASE

CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION

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Thousands of Canadians to ‘Ride Don’t Hide’ for mental health

On June 26, thousands will cycle in Ride Don’t Hide, benefitting the Canadian Mental Health Association

SAULT STE. MARIE - The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in Sault Ste. Marie invites the community of cyclists and non-cyclists alike to join the movement that’s sweeping the nation.

On June 26, 2016, Canadians from all walks of life will join the fourth annual Ride Don’t Hide community bike ride in celebration and support of mental health.

CMHA is expecting more than 6,000 cyclists to ride for mental health on June 26, 2016 in 32 communities across Canada, including Sault Ste. Marie.

“Ride Don’t Hide is an opportunity to come together as a community and say mental health is important to me, and it’s ok to talk about,” says Lisa Carricato, mental health educator, CMHA Sault Ste. Marie “We are so thankful for the support from the community, and those who have shared their personal stories of why mental health is important to them.”

Local rider and mental health advocate, Melissa Cutler says: “This ride is so important to me because so many people struggle with mental illness and not everyone is comfortable talking about it because there is such stigma. Ride Don’t Hide can help spread the word and let people know that they are NOT alone and that many people are fighting alongside with them.”

The Ride Don’t Hide movement began with Michael Schratter, a Vancouver school teacher living with bipolar disorder, who spent almost a year and a half cycling 40,000 km around the globe.

Armed with only his bike, a knapsack and the determination to realize his dream of raising awareness and empowering those who experience mental illness, his story inspired millions of people and raised $100,000 for CMHA.

The fourth annual Ride Don’t Hide community bike ride continues to inspire and aims to raise $1,500,000 across Canada.

Ride Don’t Hide is open to cyclists of all ages and skill levels.

Registration is $35 for youth and adults and free for children 12 and under. Individuals, families and teams can register online here.

About the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)

Canadian Mental Health Association is one of Canada's oldest and most established national mental health charities.

Our vision is mentally healthy people in a healthy society.

As the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA facilitates access to the resources people require to maintain and improve mental health and community integration, build resilience, and support recovery from mental illness/addiction.

For more information about the Sault Ste. Marie Branch, please visit here.

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