Some Okotoks students had their hearts pumping on Valentine’s Day and the exercise helped clear their minds.
Grades 4 to 9 students at Westmount School rode stationary bikes with cyclist Todd Martin, of the Wounded Warriors, as part of the Mental Health Awareness Bike Ride on Feb. 14.
“I wanted to demonstrate to them the connection between physical activity and mental health,” Martin said.
Martin was a peacekeeper and peacemaker during two stints with the armed forces in the former Yugoslavia. He said he does not have PTSD but there are days when he has ups and downs.
Exercise and talking with friends and family has helped him, he said.
He stressed mental health is an issue even for elementary and junior high school students like at Westmount School.
“Mental health (issues) can happen at any age,” Martin said. “It doesn’t have to be post traumatic stress, it might be anxiety, general depression, I am not a psychologist by any stretch, but with the rollercoaster of their lives, there is some things they can do for themselves— just having a little bit of physical activity and how happy that makes you feel.”
Martin asked each group of students before and after the rides how it felt.
“Every single class said they felt significant improvement,” Martin said. “We were able to demonstrate, that doing something active, with a team, can make them feel better.”
Martin also touched briefly with the students on his upcoming second Wounded Warriors Battlefield Bike Ride, the BBR20. Last year’s ride took him through Normandy. This year, from June 14 to 19, he’ll be trekking 434km through the Netherlands as the country celebrates 75 years since its liberation by Canadian soldiers from German occupation in the Second World War.
Wounded Warriors provides funding and programming for military and ex-military personnel, as well as first responders and their families, he said.
“The kids are helping me train for my Wounded Warriors bike ride,” he said.
There were a few first responders and police who participated in the Westmount mental health ride.
Martin said it was important for the students to know even the tough women and men involved with first responding need help now and then with mental health.
“We want to align them (the students) with these first responders,” Martin said. “Tell them, ‘hey, these people protect us every day and they ask for help.’”
Grade 4 student Elizabeth Hayhurst is an active student, going to jiu jitsu a few times a week.
Still she said she got a lift from riding the bike on Valentine’s Day.
“It just gets me feeling good,” she said.
She added it is important for a Grade 4 student to learn about mental health.
“As you grow up, you know what to do about it,” she said.
Hailey McCance, a Grade 7 student, said she exercises regularly.
“Kind of medium, not a lot,” she said of her exercising. “There are things in our brain that make us happier when we work out.”
She agreed that it is important to learn about mental health and exercise in junior high school.
“Yes, because you can learn how to build yourself up,” she said. “You’ll be more fit and you're happier – it might help with anxiety and depression.”
She was definitely looking forward to her stint on the exercise bike.
“I love riding bikes,” McCance said.
There were approximately 16 stationery bikes at Westmount School courtesy of Natural High Fitness. Ridley’s Cycle Okotoks also contributed to the efforts.
Those wishing to donate to the Martin’s trek can go to Facebook at Todd’s Battlefield Bike Ride, and a link to the donation page can be found there.
Supporters can also visit www.bbr20.ca, click on “Tour 1” and then search for “Todd Martin” to donate directly.
