The grey morning drizzle had subsided by the time cyclists gathered at Lavington Park last Saturday. About thirty residents from Coldstream and surrounding communities had brought their bikes, helmets adjusted and water bottles filled, ready to participate in the annual “Pedal for Minds” community ride.
Organized by the Coldstream Mental Health Collective, the 15-kilometre route wound through quiet residential streets and along Kalamalka Lake, offering both scenic views and a powerful message about mental health awareness in our community.
“We started this three years ago with just eight riders,” explained Sarah Thornton, a local psychologist and founder of the collective. “Today’s turnout shows how the conversation around mental health is changing in smaller communities like ours.”
The ride wasn’t about speed or competition. Families with children, seniors on comfortable cruisers, and a few dedicated cyclists in their moisture-wicking gear all moved at their own pace. What united them was the bright teal ribbons tied to handlebars – the colour chosen to represent mental health awareness.
“Mental health challenges don’t discriminate by postal code,” Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu told the gathered riders before they set off. “Rural and small-town residents often face unique barriers to accessing support services, including transportation challenges and fewer specialized providers.”
Recent data from the Canadian Mental Health Association indicates that residents in smaller B.C. communities wait an average of 12 weeks longer for specialized mental health services compared to urban centres. The problem is particularly acute for youth services, where Interior Health reported a 37% increase in referrals since 2019.
Dave Miller, a Coldstream councillor who participated in the ride, pointed to ongoing efforts to improve local services. “Council approved funding last quarter for expanded counselling hours at the community centre,” Miller said, adjusting his helmet. “But grassroots events like this remind us that supporting mental health isn’t just about professional services – it’s about reducing stigma and creating community connections.”
Along the route, riders stopped at three “conversation stations” where volunteers facilitated brief discussions about different aspects of mental wellness – from stress management techniques to recognizing signs that someone might be struggling.
Lisa Jorgensen, a local teacher, brought her two teenagers to the event. “My son lost a classmate to suicide last year,” she shared quietly as riders regrouped at Kal Beach. “Events like this help us talk about difficult things in the open air, where somehow the conversations feel less heavy.”
The ride concluded at Coldstream Creek Park, where local businesses had set up booths offering everything from free water and energy bars to information about wellness resources. Vernon-based psychotherapist Dr. Michael Chen addressed the group, emphasizing the connection between physical activity and mental health.
“Even a 20-minute bike ride can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression,” Chen explained. “But today’s event does something medication can’t – it builds community resilience by showing people they’re not alone in their struggles.”
The Coldstream Mental Health Collective has grown significantly since its inception, now counting over 200 members who organize support groups, educational workshops, and events like Saturday’s ride. They’ve also built partnerships with Interior Health and School District 22 to develop more streamlined pathways to care.
“When my husband was diagnosed with bipolar disorder four years ago, I didn’t know where to turn,” said Eleanor Matthews, who helped organize this year’s ride. “Our family doctor in Vernon was fantastic, but the nearest psychiatrist had a six-month waiting list. Through connections made at events like this, we found a support group that honestly saved our marriage.”
Statistics Canada’s 2021 community health survey revealed that residents of B.C.’s Interior report higher levels of anxiety disorders compared to provincial averages, yet access fewer mental health services. This “treatment gap” remains a focus for both health authorities and community organizations.
Regional officials have taken notice of the collective’s grassroots success. A representative from Interior Health attended Saturday’s event, distributing information about a new virtual counselling service that will launch next month, designed specifically for smaller communities.
“The pandemic taught us that virtual care can work,” explained Dr. Amita Varma, Interior Health’s regional mental health coordinator. “But events like today remind us that technology alone isn’t the answer – people need both professional resources and community connection.”
As riders departed, many with new teal ribbons tied to their backpacks and jackets, Thornton reflected on the growth of mental health awareness in Coldstream.
“Three years ago, we couldn’t get anyone to sponsor this event,” she said, gesturing toward the local credit union and grocery store banners. “Now businesses understand that supporting mental wellness isn’t charity – it’s an investment in community health.”
The Coldstream Mental Health Collective will host monthly support meetings at the community centre through fall and winter. They’re also planning a winter wellness workshop series focused on seasonal affective disorder and holiday stress management – concerns particularly relevant to Interior communities where winter daylight hours are limited.
For lifelong Coldstream resident George Harrison, who participated in Saturday’s ride with his granddaughter, the event represented a significant cultural shift.
“In my day, nobody talked about feeling down or anxious,” the 72-year-old said, watching children decorate their bikes with teal streamers. “Seeing all these people here today, openly discussing mental health? That’s progress worth pedaling for.”
