Written by Chris Sumner on Wednesday, Friday, 13 June 2014 for PembinaValleyOnline.
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Left to right: Peter Loewen, and Eden Health Care Services' James Friesen just prior to leaving Morden Friday morning
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Eden Health Care Services CEO James Friesen is riding from Morden to Portage la Prairie today to meet up with the Clara Hughes Big Ride. The Olympian has been bicycling coast to coast to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and well being, something she's publicly admitted to dealing with. Clara's Big Ride began March 14th, and will visit communities in every province and territory before concluding in Ottawa Canada Day.
Friesen's hope is to connect with Hughes, and bring Eden's rural mental health message to her event.
"A lot of mental issues, the stuff you see in the media, kind of has an urban spin on it," notes Friesen. "I think part of our message, as a rural based mental health provider, is we have these same issues rurally, they look a little different perhaps, but the issues are the same, and it's important people across Canada realize that."
"A lot of mental issues, the stuff you see in the media, kind of has an urban spin on it," notes Friesen. "I think part of our message, as a rural based mental health provider, is we have these same issues rurally, they look a little different perhaps, but the issues are the same, and it's important people across Canada realize that."
Friesen says someone as high profile as Clara Hughes admitting to dealing with mental health issues is a very important part of breaking down the stigma some people still have regarding mental health.
"She could continue to hide the issue because she's got this visible presence in this country, so why bring this sort of negative piece forward," explains Friesen. "I think what it does is it tells a more full story about who are as human beings. In spite of huge accomplishments, some of us, like Clara for example, have had to climb pretty high mountains to get over the challenges of getting to the top of the podium."
He adds having Clara come out of the shadows is an important message to all Canadians, especially young people. "As kids or adults, to have a hero that is courageous about who she is as a full human being is a fantastic story, so kudos to her and others that are coming out of the shadows and talking about mental illness this way."
Friesen expects the more than 100 kilometer ride, which he is doing with fellow bicycler and friend Peter Loewen, will take around four hours to complete.
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