Over 150 jumpers will take the plunge at WildPlay Nanaimo this weekend, wearing absolutely nothing but their bungy cord. (MHRP/WildPlay Nanaimo)

By Alex Rawnsley

bungy in the buff

‘It can strip you right bare:’ Naked Bungy in Nanaimo backs mental health

Feb 27, 2025 | 6:00 AM

NANAIMO — All in the name of mental health, roughly 160 people are preparing to bungy in the buff this weekend.

The 19th annual Naked Bungy event in support of Mental Health Recovery Partners (MHRP) takes flight on Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2 at WildPlay Nanaimo.

Central Island branch executive director Stephen Philps told NanaimoNewsNOW the event is about strengthening community and encouraging conversations around mental health.

“While it might be shocking in some ways, it is really representative of people’s journey through mental health. When you are diagnosed or experiencing symptoms of a mental illness, it can strip you right bare, you can no longer hide what’s going on underneath, and people can tend to treat you a little bit differently.”

Despite warmer than normal conditions, Nanaimo River will undoubtedly provide a chilly reception for Naked Bungy partcipants at WildPlay Nanaimo, in support of Mental Health Recovery Partners. (MHRP/WildPlay Nanaimo)

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Weekend temperatures well above freezing will be a stark departure from the last few years, where snow added additional layers of challenge to the already daunting task.

Generating over $100,000 is the aim for the popular event, which supports MHRP initiatives on Vancouver Island.

Philps said a major part of the work done every day through the central Island branch is supporting caregivers tasked with looking after a loved one.

“There are families in every neighbourhood all across the central Island who are often silently supporting their loved ones through some pretty significant mental illness, right from late high school, all the way through.”

Education courses make up a large share of programming provided by MHRP, with support groups and counselling also offered.

Philps said many caregivers suffer in silence, since their time focus is fixated on their loved one.

He added a common refrain he’ll hear is “we feel isolated, we feel alone, we feel confused.”

“I was just on the phone with somebody earlier, for a 37-year-old son, who’s got severe drug-resistant depression, and they don’t know what to do. This is new to them, they don’t know the terminology, they don’t know how to navigate around privacy or work…which is a super common plight for a lot of caregivers.”

Those interested in supporting MHRP and the Naked Bungy event can make a donation through Canada Helps.

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