When hundreds cycle from Oak Bay and up across the Saanich Peninsula to raise funds and awareness for mental health, Gillian Carleton sees it as mass support for the greater community.

CarletonB次元官网网址檚 served as an ambassador for the Greater Victoria Canadian Mental Health AssociationB次元官网网址檚 local Greater Victoria event for about nine years. A former pro athlete, theyB次元官网网址檝e long been open about challenges and struggles, but that didnB次元官网网址檛 always come easy.

B次元官网网址淲hen I retired from pro cycling I had been involved a little bit in mental health activism in Canadian sports,B次元官网网址� Carleton said. When they went back to school, a friend directed Carleton to Ride DonB次元官网网址檛 Hide.

B次元官网网址淎t the time I was still really struggling with mental health and it was still quite nerve-wracking at the time to talk about my struggles with mental health,B次元官网网址� they said. B次元官网网址淚 really felt like there was this opportunity for me to lead this effort, no matter how scary it was for me to do that.B次元官网网址�

The whole point of the ride is to break down stigma, Carleton noted, and in that time, theyB次元官网网址檝e seen it first-hand. Along the way, it afforded a sense of community and belonging B次元官网网址� meeting and talking to people who understood, sympathized and were supportive. It paved an easier path to sharing those experiences.

B次元官网网址淚t actually helped me as well it gave me that sense of community,B次元官网网址� Carleton said. B次元官网网址淲hich is really the point.B次元官网网址�

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So when floods of riders and walkers take to the street starting at Windsor Park in Oak Bay on Sunday (June 9) to embark on one of the five cycling routes B次元官网网址� from a 7 km Family Ride to 100 km ride out to the Saanich Peninsula B次元官网网址� or the 5 km walking route, it sets a tone for anyone both watching or participating.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 visually so good to see,B次元官网网址� Carleton said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a nice reminder to that thereB次元官网网址檚 this large growing group of people who have committed to supporting each other.B次元官网网址�

Aside from awareness and community, the event raises funds for mental health services and programs delivered by Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division (CMHA BC) in Greater Victoria.

Across Canada itB次元官网网址檚 raised more than $11 million, locally they hope to raise $100,000 this weekend, said CEO Jonny Morris.

That means delivering more local programming for young people, adults and the older adult.

The free skills-based course, Living Life to the Full is a key example for Morris. B次元官网网址淚 think of it as pottery for the mind. ItB次元官网网址檚 a really accessible plain-language fun course that teaches real skills,B次元官网网址� he said.

It helps people understand and give them tools to learn from each other about low mood, stress, anxiety and worry in a classroom setting often in community or seniors centres.

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Funds also go toward a couple organizations for people living with severe mental illness, to help work on social connection.

With fingers crossed for sunshine for his walk around the golf course on the shores of Oak Bay, Morris hopes to see a couple hundreds riders take to the streets.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 hoping we get lots of riders out and we raise our fundraising target. And more than anything I hope people enjoy themselves and have a safe and fun day connecting and telling stories to each other and helping remember why weB次元官网网址檙e doing this.B次元官网网址�

Held nationally, the 13th local CMHA BC Ride DonB次元官网网址檛 Hide is Sunday (June 9). Register or learn more at or follow on socials @rdhvictoria.