Thank you to all the 2019 riders, donors, volunteers and sponsors who supported Ride Don’t Hide to bring mental health into the open. Together we have raised over $55,000!
Ride Don’t Hide raises awareness and funds that will make a significant impact in our community. The funds raised support vital services and programs such as the Preventative Education Program. CMHA Lambton Kent’s community mental health education and promotion program is aimed at increasing awareness about mental health and reducing the stigma of mental illness to encourage more people to seek help.
The CMHA Preventative Education Program attempts to address both mental health promotion and mental illness prevention. The program has two main goals: to empower residents of Lambton Kent to develop and maintain good mental health; and to advocate for and foster a community free from violence and discrimination due to mental illness. Mental illnesses are the same as physical illnesses in that the earlier you get help, the better the outcome, and so by focusing our efforts on youth, we are in a better position to identify early signs of difficulty and provide the support that is needed even before a crisis situation. By giving people the tools they need – the skills to manage stress, cope with challenges and difficulties, maintain healthy relationships and take steps to maximize their own mental health – we work at preventing major lapses in mental health and enhancing our families and community. Reducing stigma around mental illness will help people feel more comfortable to seek treatment. By creating awareness, we are also increasing the long-term mental health and wellness of Lambton Kent.
Presentations and workshops are available year-round and free of charge. Popular topics include mental health literacy, mental health in the workplace, stress and anxiety, chronic illness and mental health, and shared stories of lived experience form the volunteers with the Partnership Speakers Bureau. Presentations are tailored to suit the needs of those requesting them. Important certification programs are also available through our mental health promotion specialist, including safeTALK and Mental Health Works presentations. Promotional materials are also provided to staff and the community as needed.