From left, CMHA volunteer Donna Clark, Shopper Drug Mart’s Frank Lucarelli, CMHA executive director Maureen Davis – photo 250 News

Prince George, B.C. – The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) kicked off the campaign for Ride Don’t Hide today in support of mental health awareness.

Executive director Maureen Davis says this year’s event takes place on Father’s Day, June 21st and everyone’s invited.

“Mental illness touches 1 of 5 directly, and 5 out of 5 when we look at family, friends, it’s a part of our lives.”

Shoppers Drug Mart is back as this year’s sponsor, and owner Frank Lucarelli of the Sprucland location, couldn’t be happier.

“I’m thrilled to be back for a third year. Really the goal is to help raise awareness about mental health and reduce the stigma associated around it because many of the medications we dispense are designed to help people with mental health issues,” he says.

“We tend to shy away from it a little bit but the goal is to get people out, get active, and to get talking about it. What better way to do it than with a little bit of exercise?”

Donna Clark knows all about the stigma associated with mental illness because she suffers from depression.

Originally from Chetwynd, she says volunteering at CMHA saved her life.

“I was told I may never work and I actually just completed two years as a volunteer. That’s a huge accomplishment for me. So it’s been really awesome to have CMHA support this.”

Organizers of this year’s event have a goal of attracting 150 riders in Prince George and note more than 6,000 are expected to take part across the country.

For more information on the ride including registration details click here.