If you like riding your bike and want to help out the local Canadian Mental Health Association, circle June 23rd on your calendar.
The 6th annual Ride Don't Hide event will be held that day, with cyclists encouraged to sign up and ride to help mental health causes.
The event will be held in 22 communities across Canada. Locally, around 400 to 500 cyclists are expected to take part and raise about $40,000.
Ride Captain Chynna Hamel says mental health issues need to be taken seriously.
"I have had conversations with my clients, to my loved ones, to my friends about, we will say I have this pain in my side, go see your doctor," she says. "But if I'm having trouble with my thoughts or I'm feeling anxious or overwhelmed, oh it will pass."
CMHA Spokesperson Kim Willis says there are routes for all levels of cycling.
"We have a 10, 20, 50 and 100 km routes offered, so it is very family-friendly and a great way to get loud and show the community we are rallying around mental health," says Willis.
Integrated Director with Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and the Canadian Mental Health Association, Rob Moroz says the money raised stays local.
"It is actually making up for a lot of gaps we have in funding for our government sources, we just recently got some funding announcements and we are always grateful for that but the reality is that the need is growing and growing all the time," he says.
Money raised from this year's event will support the CMHA's Bereavement programs for children and adults, the Client Assistance Fund and the Sole Focus Project.
The ride begins at the Children's Aid Society on Riverside Dr. E.