Meghan Seybold is more determined than ever to cycle 2,200 kilometres to help ensure at-risk youth get the mental health support they need.
The longtime Aurora resident and mother of a 13-year-old girl had expected to be biking the kilometres across Ontario for the Imagine Ride in support of Jack.org — until the COVID-19 pandemic arrived.
Instead of taking to the road, on June 1 from the front yard of her home on Fleury Street, Seybold kicked off her Imagine Ride with friends and neighbours joining for a virtual ride.
"The original plan was to ride my bike from Kenora to Ottawa to raise money for Jack.org. However, the world looks very different now due to COVID-19, and as a result, I have altered my plans," she said.
Using bike trainers and respecting physical distancing recommendations, the HR Business Partner director for RBC and community members who join her will continue to ride "virtually" together throughout June.
"The ride has always been about helping people and supporting the amazing work of Jack.org – and this virus will not change that," her website says. "The physical distancing we are currently practising is needed to slow down and eventually stop the spread of COVID-19. However, fear and isolation will only increase the need for support of youth with mental health concerns."
"Ultimately, this will result in an increase in the number of young people who need mental health support. And sadly, these services were already struggling to keep up with demand before the pandemic hit. That makes the inaugural Imagine Ride more important than ever before," Seybold said.
She was inspired to support Jack.org, a national charity dedicated to getting young people the mental health education and resources they need, after meeting founder Eric Windeler.
As well as raising funds, she aims to raise awareness of the realities youth face today.
Seybold will ride Monday and Wednesday evenings at home, and she encourages other cyclists across the province to join a virtual ride using the app Zwift. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, she plans to ride 120 kilometres a day to ultimately reach her 2,200 km goal.
“Now more than ever the need is real. Our youth can’t do it alone, and we need to come together as a community to advocate and support them,” said Seybold.
- Suicide is still the leading health-related cause of death for young people in Canada
- One in seven young people in Canada report having suicidal thoughts to say nothing of the ones who don't report
- This year, 150,000 will act on their thoughts by attempting suicide, and, for hundreds of them, the attempt will be fatal
According to the Children’s Mental Health Ontario, 28,000 youth across Ontario are currently on a waitlist for mental health services.
