Cross-Canada cyclist raises funds and awareness for mental health

Martin Bauman is devoting three solid months of his summer to bike 7,500 kms across Canada to break the stigma surrounding depression and raise money for mental illness. And on July 21 , he’ll be in Ottawa to share his personal story and provide insight into what keeps him pedaling even when the going gets tough. Like many, I’ve felt the impact of mental illness close to home. From family members to mentors and close friends, I’ve seen so many people dear to me suffer in silence. I’ve felt the loss of suicide in my family,” said Bauman, who started his trek on June 1 in Vancouver, B.C. and will complete his ride on August 29 in St. John’s, Nfld.

“But I’ve also seen tremendous strength in friends and family opening up and sharing their journeys. It is their strength which inspires me in my own journey.”

The 23-year-old native of Waterloo, Ontario is biking under the banner Keep Pushing – Martin’s Ride for Mental Health. He’s raising funds for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and Defeat Depression Campaign, a national campaign led by the Mood Disorders Society of Canada.

You can connect with Bauman, track his progress and make donations on his website http://mdsc.akaraisin.com/MartinsRide.

“We are so inspired to have a young man like Martin wheel through Ottawa and provide awareness about CMHA and mental health. With so many people like Martin stepping forward, we as a society are finding ways to eliminate the stigma of mental illness and educate people on what depression really is,” said Tim Simboli, Executive Director, CMHA Ottawa.

Fast facts:

• One in five Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime.
• In any given week, at least 500,000 employed Canadians are unable to work due to mental health problems.
• The economic cost to Canada is at least $50 billion per year, which represents 2.8 per cent of Canada’s 2011 gross domestic product

Contact information:

Martin Bauman
T: 519-880-5931
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://martinbauman.com

Linda O’Neil
Public Education Consultant, CMHA Ottawa
T. 613-737-7791 Ext. 135   Cell: 613-552-4505
Email: [email protected] Website: ottawa.local