Everyone has some kind of personal connection to the tolls of mental illness - friends, family or personal experience with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, eating dissorders, and borderline personality disorder. All shrouded by stigma that prevents some from getting the help they need and those closest to them from talking openly about it.
The Ride for Mental Health was created to shatter that stigma and raise funds for research at Harvard University’s mental health affiliate, McLean Hospital near Boston. It's creation is in honor of Eric Dorris, my young, brilliant cousin who passed away due to complications from his struggles with mental health illness.
Maybe you know someone like Eric. Intelligent, creative and talented yet struggling due to their health challenges. Perhaps you know someone just like Eric yet their challenges are unknown to you.
Today I'm asking two things of you. First, make a donation to the Ride for Mental Health to support treatment and research of mental health illness. Second, please thoughtfully consider how you can contribute to elimintaing the stigma of mental health issues. Acknowledge your own challenges and practice self care. Be supportive of friends or family that share their own challenges with you.
We greatly appreciate your contribution to this worthwhile cause. Thank you for your support!
The Ride for Mental Health 2020
The Ride for Mental Health is one of the first rides in the country to benefit mental health. The proceeds raised will be donated to McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate, for the education, research, and treatment of mental illness including anxiety, borderline personality disorder, depression, eating disorders and substance abuse. Our mission is to raise funds for McLean so that we can help accelerate the progress being made to help others who suffer from mental illness.
We also hope to end the stigma surrounding mental illness through education and awareness. The promotion of this ride is a start. Many if not most of us are touched by close friends and relatives who have suffered from one type or another of mental illness.
Eric's Ride Inc. is a New York not for profit corporation with 501(c)(3) status. 100% of rider pledges will be donated to McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate.