One of the fondest memories Danielle Berman has of Ride Away Stigma is meeting people who tell her of their struggles with mental health issues.
鈥淥ne person I know who came to one of my rides was just discharged from hospital before that ride from having a mental health experience,鈥� Berman told The Chief.聽
She鈥檚 met people who鈥檝e lost family members as a result of suicide, she鈥檚 met those who鈥檝e struggled with conditions themselves, and all throughout these experiences, there seems to be one underlying theme.
鈥淛ust feeling so connected and recognizing that so many people out there cared,鈥� Berman said. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 just people really feeling understood or validated.鈥�
And it鈥檚 a sentiment that Berman herself can identify with, given the personal reason that led her to create this fundraising initiative, which aims to raise cash and awareness to aid those struggling with mental health challenges.
In 1999, Berman鈥檚 father committed suicide.
鈥淚 vividly remember pulling up to my house in my friend鈥檚 van to see a police car parked in front of my house,鈥澛� she wrote on the Ride Away Stigma Page. 鈥淢y mom told me that dad had died.鈥�
It was the summer she was about to enter Grade 8.
This would mark the beginning of Berman鈥檚 own challenges with mental health issues.
Struggling to make sense of her father鈥檚 death, she wrestled severe depression.聽
But with the aid of a therapist, medication, her mother and a supportive friend, Berman was able to find her way again.
鈥淚 no longer wanted to hide my situation and I began to share with friends that I was seeking treatment鈥� she wrote.聽
鈥淚 was happily surprised by the support I received.鈥�
So now, Berman has taken it upon herself to spread some of that support with a bike ride that has been raising thousands of dollars for mental health assistance since its inception.
The last time Ride Away Stigma rolled through Squamish, about $17,000 was raised.
Helping people get assistance was key.
The funds, administered by Sea to Sky Community Services, went to help pay for mental health counselling costs.
For the event that will be happening on June 4, Berman hopes to break $20,000.
The funds will be going to Sea to Sky Community Services again, and the ride will be starting at Brackendale Elementary.聽
Registration is $10 per person or $20 for a team. Details can be found at聽
飞飞飞.谤颈诲别补飞补测蝉迟颈驳尘补蝉2蝉.肠辞尘.听
鈥淭he energy at these events is just so powerful,鈥� said Berman.聽
鈥淚t鈥檚 just so incredible to be surrounded by people that all care about this.鈥�
