Chris Barbin Row

Row for Mental Health & Addiction Recovery 
1,000+ MILES. 40 DAYS. 1 SEA

ROWING TO SPUR CONVERSATION 
I’m Chris Barbin. I’m rowing 1,500+ miles from Monterey, CA to Punta Mita, Mexico 

—

 not to test my endurance — but to reflect for myself and raise awareness around something that needs some attention amongst a sea of distraction.

What does mental health mean for the modern dad and their families?

SPOTTING ADDICTION
While I was busy providing for my family, I missed out on some of what my son was up to. He was chasing relief from his overactive mind through gaming, social media, and drugs, eventually landing him in rehab.

MY FAMILY CRISIS WAS A WAKE-UP CALL 
Though he’s in recovery, it left me with painful reflections. When he hit the bottom, I thought I was to blame… And questioned: 

What could I have done differently? 

Was this avoidable? 

Was I distracted? 
 
THE MISSION
I’m rowing to shine a light on young men’s mental health, share my son’s story, and redefine what strength looks like for families — dads, moms, daughters, and sons — by catalyzing discussion. 

I realized strength isn’t just grinding harder and providing more — it’s showing up, being truly present, and asking for help when you need it. This isn’t supposed to be an airy message. It’s supposed to be a call to action. Let’s talk and discover healthier ways of coping, connecting, and thriving. 

INVITATION

I'm inviting you to join me on this expedition and to give to two incredible benefactors:

Project Healthy Minds 

Project Healthy Minds is a nonprofit organization and tech platform, dedicated to closing the mental health treatment gap by expanding access to mental wellness resources, breaking the stigma around mental health, and leveraging technology to connect people with the support they need. 

Providence Farm

Providence Farm is a community-driven sober living home designed for men ages 18-30 who have completed treatment for substance use disorders. Located in Northbrook, Illinois, Providence Farm fosters a unique recovery community to help young men build lasting connections and sustainable recovery.

Your generosity fuels both immediate healing and long-term impact for so many young men. 

WAYS TO GIVE

You can donate via credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, or bank transfer. If you'd like to give via stock transfer, check, or crypto, please see the image below.