Calling All Cyclists: Ontario's Lieutenant Governor and Milton's Mayor to appear at Milton Ride Don't Hide for Mental Health in Halton Region

MILTON, ON, June 18, 2015 /CNW/ - On June 21^st, the streets of Milton will play host to cyclists in Halton's inaugural Ride Don't Hide, a community bike ride hosted by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) across the country. The event strives to raise awareness and help break the stigma surrounding mental health while raising essential funds to support mental health programs in our community.

Special guest speakers at the Milton event will be the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and Gordon Krantz, Mayor of the Town of Milton. Desjardins Insurance is the Provincial Corporate Partner of the Ontario rides, and local sponsors for the Halton event include Platinum Sponsor The Cooperators Group as well as Oakville Cycle and Sports, Instant Imprints on Cross Avenue in Oakville, and Glenn Graydon Wright LLP Chartered Accountants in Oakville.

The Ride Don't Hide movement began with Michael Schratter, a Vancouver teacher living with bipolar disorder, who spent almost a year and a half cycling 40,000 km around the globe. Armed with only his bike, a knapsack and the determination to realize his dream of raising awareness and empowering people experiencing mental illness, his story inspired millions of people, and the Ride Don't Hide event was born four years ago.

"Ride Don't Hide is an opportunity to come together as a community and say mental health is important to us, and it's ok to talk about," says Radhika Subramanyan, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Mental Health Association Halton Region Branch (CMHA-HRB). "We are so thankful for the support from the community and are looking forward to an inspiring day on June 21st."

In any given year, one in five Canadians experiences a mental health problem or illness. Mental health issues affect everyone, either personally or through a friend, family member, or co-worker.

The Halton ride offers a family-friendly 12.7 km route and a family atmosphere with food, fun, prizes and a kid's activity area sponsored by Bell Canada. The start and finish lines will be at the Milton Sports Centre at 605 Santa Maria Boulevard in Milton. Registration will begin at 7 am with speakers at 9 am and the ride kicking off at 9:30 am.

Registration before June 14th is $65, which includes a T-shirt, refreshments, family activities, and prize draw. All funds raised support mental health. Children 12 and under ride free. More information and links to donate, sign up as a volunteer, or register to ride are available on the ride website at www.ridedonthide.com/on/ride/halton/ or by calling CMHA-HRB at 1-877-693-4270.

CMHA-HRB provides support, including case management, crisis support and free walk-in counselling, to people who have mental health and/or addiction concerns. They also offer education about mental health, wellness, and addictions as well as information about community services. More information is available at www.halton.cmha.ca.

SOURCE Canadian Mental Health Association Halton Region Branch

Melanie McGregor, Communications and Health Promotion Specialist, Canadian Mental Health Association Halton Region Branch, 289-291-5395, [email protected]