The fourth edition of Ride to Mpower will bring together fitness fanatics to spread awareness about mental health

In order to live a long and healthy life, taking care of your mental well-being is just as important as taking care of your physical health. The way you feel about yourself, the quality of your relationships and your ability to deal with difficulties can all affect your energy and motivation levels, as well as your daily functioning. Despite this, the stigma around mental health continues to persist. According to the National Mental Health Survey of India conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in 2016, nearly 15 per cent of the adult Indian population suffers from mental health issues which require active intervention.

Prejudice towards and discrimination against individuals with mental health issues not only worsens outcomes on a personal level, but also adds complications when it comes to their care and treatment. In recent times, there have been concerted efforts to increased awareness around mental illnesses and it is an important step with which the negativity and stigma can be banished. The Aditya Birla Education Trust is working towards this. Through its initiative, Ride to Mpower, they hope to spread awareness and challenge the stigma experienced by people with mental health problems.

Bringing mental health to the open

Ride to Mpower encourages participants to create awareness by pledging support towards the cause of mental health. The aim is to advocate prevention and provide services with a professional, holistic and multi-disciplinary approach in the country. The fourth edition of Aditya Birla Health Insurance Ride to Mpower is all set to take place on March 17, 2019, 5 am onwards at Dome @ NSCI, Worli, Mumbai. The cycling event will be flagged off by Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson of the Foundation.

Neerja Birla, who’s also a fitness aficionado, believes that in order to take care of our minds, it's essential to take care of our bodies. Mpower was launched three years ago, and has been actively working to affect change and proactively champion the cause of mental health.

Last year, more than 2,500 people pledged to this important cause. “One of our main goals at Mpower is to bring about a change in the way people perceive mental health. With Ride to Mpower, we hope to bring the cycling and fitness communities together to pave the way for positive conversations about mental health. It’s all about encouraging people to look at mental health with the same openness and seriousness as we do physical health. After all, a healthy body and a healthy mind both contribute to a person’s holistic wellness,” says Neerja. With increased participation each year, she is certain that this annual cycle ride will keep inspiring more people to embrace wellness and self-care.

Details about the run

The registration fees are as follows:

·      Rs. 499 – 27kms starting from Dome @ NSCI, SVP stadium to Asian Heart Institute and back (Start time: 6:00 am)

·      Rs. 299 - 15kms starting from Dome @ NSCI, SVP stadium to Shivaji Park and back (Start time: 6:20 am)

·      Rs. 199 - 7kms starting from Dome @ NSCI, SVP stadium to JK Kapur Chowk and back (Start time: 6:40 am)

Go ahead and book your tickets here.

Come join the ride for better health and help eradicate the stigma associated with mental health!