RIde Don't Hide

This past weekend I volunteered at the local Rid Don't Hide event to create awareness and break down the stigma of mental health. u

RIde don't hide is he perfect title for this event. It could be riding, walking, running, hiking or any other form of activity. The key is to be active.

When I am feeling depressed, the last thing I want to do is be active and nvolved. I would rather be isolated, quiet and withdrawn because it is safe and comfortable. It is where I can beat myself up and wallow in self pity for weeks or months on end.

Thankfully since I was diagnosed, received counselling and started on medication I have been open and address my depression head on. The depressive moments are now for shorter periods of time.

I am not hiding anymore, I am open and aware of my depression by sharing my story.

A couple of months ago I shared my story with grade eleven students. The students were engaged and active, asking informative, thoughtful and intriguing questions. I left on an incredible high feeling empowered and grateful that the world will be in good hands with today's students. I wish we had education about mental health issues when I was school age. I was hoping to make a difference in someone's life, instead a difference was made in my life.

When I returned to my office, one of my colleagues asked me about my morning. I took a risk and told her about my story. We hadn't had the greatest professional relationship, so I was taking a big risk. And she took a risk back by sharing with how she is struggling with depression in a different way. Her daughter deals with extreme anxiety disorder.  Now we share a bond and are professional relationship has improved greatly and hope to build s personal friendship with her.

Ride Don't Hide

This is one example of sharing my story, others abound, kindred spirits are everywhere, waiting for someone to take a risk and share.

Back to the event, about 100 riders braved a windy, cold, rainy day including the cities mayor and ex football player and an Olympic silver medalist. The silver medalist passed her medal around and I took my picture with the medal draped around my neck.

 Since then I have looked at the picture many times and have  a hard believing it is actually me. The person in this picture has an amazing smile. Anyone looking at this picture would never guess that I had been struggling to smile for decades.