First group of riders  rolls  out- video 250News

Prince George, B.C. –  Ride Don’t Hide, is off  and rolling through Prince George.The annual event to raise  money  for  mental health education  programs in Prince George.

Maureen Davis, Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association in Prince George says  about 140 bike riders  are taking part in today’s event.  “It is more than last year, just seeing  more and more people  embracing the concept of mental health is encouraging.”

More riders has translated into  more funds raised.   While  donations can be made until mid July,   as the ride got underway this morning,  about $18 thousand dollars had been donated.

Every dollar  raised stays in Prince George says Davis “The dollars are focused on our public education, so we are  out and about doing a lot more training about mental health first aid for example, living life to the full, and just breaking  stigma where we can.”

One of the messages being stressed this year is to  encourage those who  have a  mental health condition to seek help.  A recent study indicated  26.3% of Canadians aged 15 and over  with a mental health condition  said there was a time in the previous year when they needed mental health  care but  did not  receive it.   As many as 60% of Canadians  with a mental health problem or illness won’t seek professional help for fear of being labeled or stigmatized.  The stigma  around mental health  remains a major problem  with  tens of thousand s of people  across  Canada suffering in silence.