The struggle for people who suffer from mental health problems is no laughing matter.
But that doesn’t mean fun can’t be had to help raise mental health awareness in the community and money for organizations that provide services to the mentally ill and their families.
That was certainly true Monday for hundreds of people who took part in the annual Bike 4 the Brain cycling, walking and running event in Mission.
This year, about 500 people took part in the event, according to Ken Sonnenschein, a child psychiatrist and cyclist, who started Bike 4 the Brain eight years ago.
Sonnenschein said that as a cyclist he had taken part in similar fund raisers over the years for just about “every aspect of the human condition,” except mental health.
“They are silent illnesses that can’t be seen with an X-ray or blood test,” he said. “They are illnesses that are not openly discussed.”
Helping to overcome the stigma that leads to that silence is one of the goals of Bike 4 the Brain.
Matthew Bernstein of Olathe was one of those who enjoyed Monday’s event. Bernstein said he is a consumer of mental health services, and thinks it is a great cause to raise awareness of mental health issues.
Bernstein said there are many misconceptions about mental illness.
“People think everyone with a mental illness is in the hospital,” Bernstein said. “I’m taking classes at the KU Edwards campus. I’m volunteering. I’m just living my life.”
Over the last four years, Bike 4 the Brain has used money raised at the event to provide $52,500 in grants to organizations that provide mental health services. Many of those organizations were on hand Monday to share information about what they do.
Among those groups was the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault. Megan Corazzin said MOCSA has received Bike 4 the Brain grants because many of the people they deal with often suffer depression and related issues.
Sonnenschein said that the event has grown each year. This year’s event included bike rides of varying lengths up to 70 miles, a non-competitive walk/run and the ever-popular spectacle of adults attempting to ride child-sized tricycles.
Juan Williams of Kansas City, North, was the first rider to finish the 33-mile cycling course Monday. Williams said it was his third year to participate in Bike 4 the Brain.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Williams said. “It’s a challenging route. You get to meet a lot of people, and it’s a good way to give back to the community.”
Stephen Delgado of Bike America was at the event to help riders with adjustments to things like tires and inner tubes to help ensure they have a comfortable ride. He said it was the fourth year that Bike America has taken part.
“We want people to have a good time so they’ll come back,” Delgado said.
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