Clara’s big ride for mental health awareness
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A familiar face to many Canadians is on her way around the country to talk about mental illness. Clara calls Hamilton her home. And Friday, it’s where Clara Hughes wrapped up the first day of a 12-thousand kilometre bike ride.
A journey she launched to promote conversation about mental health. It’s a conversation she has held publicly. The 6-time Olympic medallist had a serious struggle with depression. But now her focus is on breaking down the stigma. In front of the crowd gathered to welcome her to the city, Hughes dedicated day one to Staff Sgt. Ian Matthews — a well respected member of the Hamilton police service who took his own life late last year.
“I looked out and saw a good friend of mine Dr. Chris McLaughlin in the audience — he’s a father and a husband and a soccer coach. He sent me a message the next day of what had happened. He said ‘please Clara, can you just let his memory be known so that someone else knows to talk to someone so this doesn’t happen. And my husband and I did a big ride that day and climbed some big mountain in Arizona and we dedicated that ride to Sgt. Matthews. Today I wanted to dedicate and honour his memory and we’re talking about it here — we’re talking about mental health and mental illness and like I said, this is all about breaking down the walls of stigma so people don’t suffer in silence.”
A reception for the former Olympian began at 7pm at Liuna Station. Clara’s Big Ride continues Saturday morning when she heads for St. Thomas. 95 Canadian cities are part of her 110-day journey.
