Clara Hughes and 160 others went on a bike ride this morning, for their mental and physical well-being.
The multiple Olympic medallist led a ride through Lantzville on Saturday to raise money for the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Mid Island branch. The event was hosted by Aspengrove School.
Hughes, a longtime advocate for mental health, deals with depression.
“It’s something I’ve managed and I’ve coped and I’ve thrived and I’ve succeeded with for many, many years,” she said. “And anybody who’s out there suffering in silence, who feels like they are so alone, know that you are not alone. This is something that affects every single Canadian.”
Hughes personally donated $500 to the local mental health association branch and was confident Aspengrove would exceed its $1,000 fundraising goal.
Saturday’s ride wasn’t a race, as Hughes mentioned that she completed her last bike race at the 2012 Olympics and joked that “I am really slow now.”
But movement, she said, remains her medicine.
“Movement and being physically active is so important for mental health and wellness…” she said. “It is not going to fix anything that may be going wrong, but it is a really important piece of the puzzle.”
Maria Gomes, president of the local chapter of the association, said money raised would go to public education about mental health.
“We just really believe that we need to reduce the stigma around mental illness and the best way to do that is to get an informed community,” she said.
Hughes is a “big believer” in Canada’s local mental health associations.
“They do phenomenal work and I encourage everyone to check out what they’re doing in your community,” she said. “You’ll be so surprised at the impact they have for people on a daily basis.”
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
About 160 cyclists joined Olympian Clara Hughes this morning for a ride in #Lantzville in support of mental health… pic.twitter.com/ThKDr4pcMK
— Greg Sakaki (@BulletinSports) May 14, 2016
