The inspiration for team B次元官网网址淩eal DandyB次元官网网址� in Ride DonB次元官网网址檛 Hide stems from how Ken Gill lived, as much as the few months that led to his death.

Ken Gill died of suicide March 29 at the age of 58. His life ended with a short and intense struggle with mental health. It also lay the groundwork for a team in the Canadian Mental Health AssociationB次元官网网址檚 cycling event in Oak Bay this weekend to raise awareness of the issue.

B次元官网网址淲e decided to participate this year after watching and experiencing first-hand the effects of mental health and how the ongoing stigma associated with this disease can often times complicate and prevent those struggling from getting help,B次元官网网址� said Marie Gill, KenB次元官网网址檚 widow. B次元官网网址淭o us, this ride means helping end the stigma towards mental health and raising awareness of those who might be struggling in silence and fighting a disease that many people donB次元官网网址檛 see. It also helps bring an awareness to just how many people in the community have been personally or indirectly affected by this disease. We feel that the more people that support these types of movements, the more representation and focus will be directed to helping better understand mental health and how we can better support those who are struggling.B次元官网网址�

RELATED:

The former Oak Bay firefighter is fondly remembered for his work as a fire prevention officer and department chaplain as well as a guy who would have a coffee and listen to his peers across Greater Victoria.

A team of 29 will cycle the streets, a mix of close family and friends who loved Ken. They are all riding in memory of Ken and to help end the stigma of mental health.

B次元官网网址淭he stigma associated with mental health is already starting to break down, however there is still a lot of work to do,B次元官网网址� Marie said. B次元官网网址淭hese types of events are imperative to harness support and break down these barriers. Ken was a strong pillar of support to his family, friends, and community. He dealt firsthand with others as they struggled with mental health and never allowed a stigma to affect his duties. However, when he was facing his own personal mental health battle, the stigma associated did affect his ability to accept the support and care he required.B次元官网网址�

Ken was a constant advocate for mental health awareness and supports for the community B次元官网网址� particularly his first responder colleagues.

B次元官网网址淲e all strongly believe that Ken would have been a huge supporter of the Ride DonB次元官网网址檛 Hide mission and we know that if he were here, he would be riding his bike alongside his community and us in this campaign,B次元官网网址� Marie said.

They stumbled on the ride while seeking out something specifically to raise awareness about mental health, says Manfred Schneider, whoB次元官网网址檚 endured a steep learning curve since losing his friend of 20 years to suicide.

B次元官网网址淚 was unaware of mental health. ItB次元官网网址檚 something I had no clue about,B次元官网网址� said Schneider, adding the struggle was something his friend shielded them from. B次元官网网址淚f I knew what I know today, I might have been able to do more for him.B次元官网网址�

Ken, after all, was the one who pulled him from depression last year.

B次元官网网址淗e saw me going into a hole and he recognized that,B次元官网网址� Schneider said.

Even the name Ride DonB次元官网网址檛 Hide resonates as Ken tried to hide his fight with mental health. The team hopes events like this will show others quietly struggling that there is a community that wants them to feel comfortable enough to seek the help they need.

RELATED:

While embarking on fundraising, Schneider noticed a trend not uncommon among those who talk about mental health and suicide.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 quite surprising how many people have told me they lost a loved one to mental health as well,B次元官网网址� he said.

According to the CMHA, about 4,000 Canadians die by suicide every year. The most at-risk group is men in their 40s and 50s.

Being alert to the fact that someone might be experiencing suicidal thoughts and being able to ask the question are key, says Jocelyn deMontmorency, program manager for CMHA BC DivisionB次元官网网址檚 Victoria office.

B次元官网网址淧eople donB次元官网网址檛 ask. ItB次元官网网址檚 not because they donB次元官网网址檛 have a clue [someone is having suicidal thoughts] itB次元官网网址檚 because they donB次元官网网址檛 know how to ask,B次元官网网址� she said.

CMHA offers programs such as safeTALK (Suicide Alertness for Everyone) a program they bring to Oak Bay frequently.

B次元官网网址淚n safeTALK we talk about the fact that there are suicides that happen,B次元官网网址� deMontmorency said. B次元官网网址淢ore often than not people do not want to die by suicide, they want someone to talk to them about suicide, they want to talk about what theyB次元官网网址檙e feeling.B次元官网网址�

The half-day training offers basic steps to identify a person with thoughts of suicide, ask them directly about the possibility of suicide, and connect them to life-saving community supports and resources. Sessions are again planned for Oak Bay and Juan de Fuca in the fall. For more resources visit .

A Real Dandy team

Ken was a witty kind of guy, says Schneider, who happens to be a leading fundraiser ahead of SundayB次元官网网址檚 event. Whenever the circle of friends got together for dinners someone always got roasted.

B次元官网网址淭he times we were ever picking on Ken, he always says B次元官网网址榶ouB次元官网网址檙e a real dandy, or youB次元官网网址檙e a piece of workB次元官网网址�. That was one of his favourite expressions,B次元官网网址� Schneider says. B次元官网网址淚f you outwitted him he always had a comeback of some sort.B次元官网网址�

Team Real Dandy is second in fundraising teams so far at $10,640, with Oak Bay optometrist-led Shaggy and the Rat Traps in the lead at $12,090.

He was such a strong guy nobody can even believe it happened B次元官网网址� he meant a lot to everybody so everybody wants to contribute,B次元官网网址� Schneider said.B次元官网网址�

Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 Hugh Turner leads the individual fundraisers at $7,525.

Donate to a team or register for the ride B次元官网网址� Sunday, June 24 at Windsor Park B次元官网网址� at .

For more CMHA resources visit .