Vernon, BC – Support for youth mental health experienced a significant boost as cyclists and walkers took to the streets Sept. 16.

The 2023 Ride Don’t Hide brought community together to speak out about the importance of mental health and supporting one another.

“We would like to thank all the participants, sponsors, volunteers, staff and community members who came together to make this event such a huge success,” said Julia Payson, executive director, Canadian Mental Health Vernon & District.

“These funds will help us to provide critical services to support young people with the programs they need, when they need them.”

Ride Don’t Hide began at Polson Park and featured multiple routes ranging from 1.2 to 50 kilometers with options to walk or ride as an individual or a team. Over 50 participants came together to raise funds that will allow CMHA Vernon to get one step closer to opening the doors of the recently announced Foundry Vernon.

The opening of Foundry in Vernon will give young people a safe place where supports for mental health, substance use, physical and sexual health, youth and family peer supports, and social services such as employment, income and housing can be accessed in one single location.

This year, donations to Ride Don’t Hide went even further, thanks to the Galbraith Family Foundation, which matched donations raised from event. With over $25,000 raised at this time, the Galbraith Family Foundation will donate a matching $25,000, bringing the total funds raised to over $50,000.

“Our family couldn’t be happier to support this incredible event that brings mental health awareness to the foreground,” said Kyle Galbraith, on behalf of the Galbraith Family Foundation.