Cyclists ride to show support for those battling mental health issues

Mark Taylor decided to give back to the mental health services he has received in the community by biking 22 kilometres Sunday through the Sudbury Ride Don’t Hide event, which raised funds for the Canadian Mental Health Association. 

Taylor said he benefited from Health Sciences North's transitional outpatient services program for mental health, and decided to pay it forward by coming out Sunday with his daughter Melanie Taylor.

“To see where my dad has come from is a huge accomplishment,” said Melanie. “I couldn't be more proud of him.”

They joined a small group of Sudbury cyclists at the base of the Adanac ski hill to help decrease the stigma around mental illness and raise funds for treatment, and education through the Canadian Mental Health Association. 

“The idea is for us to come together and feel free to speak about mental health and mental illness,” said Chantal Makela, one of the organizers of the Sudbury event.

Makela said participants raised nearly $5,000 before the cyclists got started on the six- or 22-kilometre rides.

Across Canada 29 communities participated in Ride Don't Hide events Sunday and raised $1.3 million for the Canadian Mental Health Association. 

In any given year, one in five, or approximately seven million Canadians, experience a mental health problem or illness, but only one-third will seek help – often due to the discrimination and stigma around mental illness.