Ride Away Stigma held its first annual event in Squamish this past weekend. The cycling event aims to raise awareness and stamp out stigma surrounding mental health.

Danielle Berman, founder of Ride Away Stigma wasn’t put off by the weather at the start of the day, and says it ended up being a metaphor for the event. “By 9AM people started showing up and as more and more people came the weather just started improving more and more, and it just kind of shows you that that when you’re going through a hard time that when people are around you and support you and when your able to reach out to services for help, things can improve and can get better and yesterday, everyone being together was such a special experience.”

120 cyclists took part along with 30 volunteers, raising a total of over $17,442 for mental health programs at Sea to Sky Community Services.

Berman plans to hold the second event in the spring so that it doesn’t conflict with any existing events already taking place in Squamish.

Filed under: Cycling, Mental Health, News, Squamish