The Owen Sound Sun Times e-edition

Pandemic challenged mental health but may have eased stigma

SCOTT DUNN

Desiree van Dijk was among dozens of cyclists who raised more than $40,000 for community-funded mental health programs Sunday.

The ninth annual Ride Don't Hide event was the community's biggest chance to support heavily used mental health programs that aren't funded by the government.

Van Dijk waited at a balloon archway at Kelso Beach Park for her three friends to join her on the 50-kilometre ride. It was her third time in the annual fundraising ride.

Last year's was online due to the pandemic, which staff at the event said has increased demand for Canadian Mental Health services.

She said her own mental health has suffered due to the pandemic. Because more people realize COVID-19 has affected their mental health, there may be more understanding about people who need help and less stigmatization, van Dijk said.

“Personal experience has taught me that there's still a lot of stigma about mental health,” van Dijk said. “I think what people need to know is that mental health is a continuum that is always changing for everyone.”

The fact the pandemic increased many people's mental health struggles served as a reminder, she said, that “we're all on that continuum and some of us have a greater range of ups and downs and no one's mental health is static.”

This year's event had 75 registered participants, including 65 riders there in person. The rest participated virtually. Pre-pandemic, around 300 joined the ride in person.

There was no mass start or barbecue gathering afterwards, due to COVID-19 uncertainty.

So to increase the sense of occasion, organizers played music and created a big blue, green and white balloon arch under which riders were photographed, then sent off with cheers, clapping and the clang of cowbells.

Riders raised about $41,000 in pledges, and the Knights of Meaford kicked in $15,000 particularly for CMHA youth mental health programs. Event co-ordinator April Robinson said she had hoped for $30,000.

“There's definitely been an increased demand for services in general” during the pandemic, she said.

The mental health puppet troupe that visits schools was fully booked over the past school year, co-ordinator Liam Nicoll said.

The Friends and Neighbours, or FAN Club, toured schools Monday through Thursday in the past school year, presenting to three classes a day. They saw 1,400 students and 90 teachers a month across Grey-bruce, he said.

During the presentations, the four rules of good mental health were shared: Like you for you; Have friends who like you for you; Don't keep your feelings inside, let them out; and Smile and have fun every day. A puppet play covers friends and bullying; self-talk, or using good names four ourselves; parental divorce and separation; and secrets and safe people, Nicoll said. The plays can stir up emotions and teachers and education assistants are among the safe people ready to spot and support students who may be having a hard time, he said. It's why they don't perform for the students on Fridays, given they could go unsupported over the weekend.

the FAN Club one of the community-funded programs supported by Sunday's ride. Youth awareness, social recreation such as the community garden, Fresh Roots Cafe, Union Place and various other community service CMHA programs offered in in other Greybruce towns all benefit.

The ride also supports men who self-refer to the Men's Program, which is a domestic violence counselling program.

Robinson said part of what's driving the increased demand for mental health support is the housing and opiate crises, which worsened during the pandemic. So the preventative programs that are community-funded are seeing more demand too. People experiencing a housing crisis come to the community brunch program and the Fresh Roots Cafe, for example.

Anyone experiencing mental health problems who wishes to speak to someone may attend a drop-in program at 854 2nd Ave. E., the former DIA office.

It's a partnership of CMHA and Grey Bruce Health Services which opened during the pandemic. Hours have expanded to 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. because there was so much demand.

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2022-06-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-06-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

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