Samantha “Sami” Sorid is trying to make her community aware of the importance of good mental health.
Samantha “Sami” Sorid, a 17-year-old rising senior at Lenape High School, is trying to make her community aware of the importance of good mental health, including those with mental illness and those without.
Sorid was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder around age 3 or 4, and throughout her life she’s had to deal with constantly reoccurring thoughts, repeating rituals and habits and impulses to touch things in certain ways.
Yet through stressful situations, Sorid said she’s been able to keep her OCD under control and live her life the way she wants to through her own hard work, determination and the support she’s received from other people.
With that in mind, Sorid is organizing her first Move for Mental Health Charity Bike Ride to take place at Laurel Acres Park at the end of the summer to better inform the community of the practices of good mental health.
“A big thing when dealing with mental illness is it’s really nice to have support and have people back you up and be there for you,” Sorid said. “When you’re struggling with a mental illness, you have to put forth so much hard work and effort, and help from others can really push you through.”
Sorid said she chose a bike ride for the event to combine her passion of mental health advocacy with her passion for cycling.
Sorid is an active member of the Team Evesham bike team and said the activity has provided her with an outlet for her stress.
“It’s been a great opportunity for me to meet new people and be active and help me reduce some of my stress that I have,” Sorid said. “I’ve been able to get my OCD under control in part because of the support from other people, and cycling is a big aspect of that.”
In addition to using the bike ride to bring members of the community together to focus on good mental health, Sorid said the ride will also raise funds for the Mental Health Association in Southwestern New Jersey, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public and providing programs for those with mental illnesses.
Sorid spoke highly of the group, noting she’s volunteered with their services in the past to help plan events such as art shows and dances where those with mental illnesses were able join the community in trying new experiences.
“I thought about raising money for this specific organization because I knew their work and how they can help the community,” Sorid said.
For her ride, Sorid said there will be three courses, with a five-mile path for families and amateurs, along with a 25-mile route and a 50-mile route for more experienced cyclists and cycling teams.
Riders can join any course for a $25 registration fee and offer a minimum donation of $20. Water, snacks, rider bibs and a t-shirt will be provided to all registered riders.
Sorid said supporters are also welcome to raise additional donations or become sponsors of the event.
“I’m hoping members of the public will support this important event that really connects to everybody in some way or another,” Sorid said. “It’s a really great way to get actives outside and join with the community.”
Those interested in registering can visit www.active.com and search for Mount Laurel.
To help volunteer for the event by providing refreshments at rest stops during the ride or by helping registration efforts, or to become a sponsor for the event, contact Sorid at [email protected].
The Move for Mental Health charity bike ride will take place on Sept. 10 at Laurel Acres Park starting at 7:30 a.m.
