This was me at Ride Don’t Hide 2012
Working at VCH is all about team work and inspiring change. I work as a vocational rehabilitation counsellor at the West End Mental Health Team.
VRC’s work on Vancouver MH works to help people with mental illness find and keep work.
A few years ago, I wanted to participate in the the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) community mental health bike ride, but riding 20 kilometres seemed like a huge stretch for me.
I lacked the faith in myself to pedal 20 kilometres as my bottom had not graced a bike a seat in many years (a rational, not shame-based judgement).
I decided to challenge my friends to pledge me up to $1,000 before committing to actually riding. Who knew the secret dream of so many people in my life was to see me exercise?
A psychiatrist on the team quickly pledged $100, followed by another, and then one for $50. It didn’t take long. I was the top fundraiser that year.
I had no idea that I could ride a bike that far, and I had no idea that I would be supported to try.
Also, during that same time, our team leader suggested I ride my bike to work as practice (athletes call this training, as I learned).
I would park my bike in my office across from the chair my clients sit in. This led to many conversations about change and possibility.
I believe contributing to community contributes to capacity in our work life.
This past year, the Midtown Team VRC and I enjoyed a friendly rivalry around top fundraising for children’s and youth mental health programming at CMHA.
All VCH Mental Health Teams had entrants and volunteers, many with both clients and staff.
The focus of this year’s bike ride is to draw attention and raise funds for CMHA programming towards the mental health of women and their families, and we welcome Shoppers Drug Mart as a provincial sponsor. The ride is growing – from one ride in Vancouver to 13 rides across the provinces. The 50-kilometre route is stretching to 60 kilometres in recognition of 60 years of CMHA’s presence in BC and will cover territory from Burnaby to Richmond.
Its an exciting day, held on June 23rd, with a festive atmosphere, costumes, live bands, food and prizes!
Leading up to the big day, we have counsellors who will be hard at work helping mental health team clients find jobs, but take a minute and ask us about riding or supporting the 2013 Shopper’s Drug Mart Ride Don’t Hide team.
To learn more or to register to ride and/or sponsor riders, got to www.ridedonthide.com.