Community members are invited to take a frosty dip in the name of mental health at an inaugural event being held on New Year's Day at West Vancouver's Ambleside beach.
The Bipolar Bear Swim Challenge is being presented by The Bipolar Initiative, a new organization focused on helping those with the diagnosis that was launched by Deep Cove's Barry Rich in September. "The mission is to reduce morbidity and mortality for people with bipolar spectrum disorder," says Rich of the grassroots organization, which is continuing to expand its reach. Rich, 65, is a retired family physician who was disabled with bipolar spectrum disorder for five years and is now recovered.
When asked why he decided to launch The Bipolar Initiative, Rich says, "I'm a wounded healer number one and I thrive on this kind of thing," he says.
"This is my disease. I have so much to give and it's such a huge need," he adds.
So far the organization has presented fundraisers showcasing local musicians and visual artists (Rich included), is involved in a music outreach program in the Downtown Eastside and has launched a peer support and educational group.
Rich is looking forward to the Bipolar Bear Swim Challenge, set for Friday, Jan. 1 at Ambleside beach. The event is intended to "bring the whole community together over bipolar disorder and the appreciation of life and how lucky we are," says Rich.
The swim is set for noon, however, festivities are being planned for throughout the day, including art sales, a mental health fair, live entertainment and refreshments. "The response has been unbelievably overwhelming," says Rich of all the individuals and community partners that have come on board.
Registration will get underway at 11 a.m. Funds raised from the event will support The Bipolar Initiative. For more information, visit bipolarinitiative.com.
