It was a brightly coloured bike chain that was impossible to ignore.
And that was exactly the point.
Cyclists of all ages and abilities gathered on Sunday morning in the bright sunshine, the majority wearing their cheerful teal Ride Don’t Hide T-shirts to raise both money, but in many ways more importantly to raise awareness of the prevalence of mental illness and diminish shame.
Historically, mental illness has been something many felt they had to hide. Those who suffered often did so in silence for fear of what others would think or that they could be treated differently as a result. Many operate under the mistaken impression that mental illness is a character flaw, not a sickness that needs medical treatment, just as asthma or diabetes requires care.
I too, felt that way when I suffered from postpartum depression following the birth of my twins.
So many people told me how happy I should be. But I wasn’t.
I was anxious all the time, my mind racing with illogical and negative thoughts. I tried to paste on a smile and feel the joys all new mothers are supposed to feel. But then I would cry alone in the shower, feeling overwhelmed, exhausted and unable to shake the weight of my negative emotions.
At one point, I decided to run away.
I left the babies in their cribs and got to the front step of my house, before sitting down and crying.
I needed help.
It was then that I called my doctor’s office. They got me in within hours and that began my journey to recovery. With a combination of medication, a support group and some individual counselling I was able to feel like myself again.
Depression took me away for awhile, but treatment brought me back. Sharing my condition was difficult at first. But the more I shared, the more people spoke to me about their own struggles.
As Blaine Ready, owner and pharmacist of the Salmon Arm Shoppers Drug Mart, pointed out, anxiety and depression medications are among the most -prescribed medications dispensed. That is one of the reasons Shoppers has stepped in to partner with the Canadian Mental Health Association to host this event.
Shame thrives on silence and breaking silence with events like Ride Don’t Hide is a way to support mental health programs in this community including: Living Life to the Full programs for depression, family support and information and education to raise awareness and promote mental health for all.
This year, it was gratifying to see the Silverbacks hockey team throw their support behind the event, with hockey players taking to their bikes and Kong beating his chest during the warm up.
This year my oldest daughter and I rode the scenic 10-km together. She was three when I experienced depression and she once told me how she remembered Mommy crying.
I want her to know that if she ever needs help herself, she can take action. We can ride, not hide.
