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Sixth annual suicide awareness bike ride most successful yet

Aug 18, 2016 | 5:00 PM

Something had to be done after their son was lost to suicide. Six years ago, a grieving mother and father chose to use their loss as a means to make others aware mental health is very real and it’s OK to ask for help.

On April 27, 2009 Veronica and Rod Apesin from the English River First Nation learned their son past away to suicide. The following year, with assistance from the chief and band council, the Apesins started a bike ride from Meadow Lake to Beauval, a trek of 150 km, and six years later it’s more successful than ever.

Earlier this week, on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 35 riders and a couple dozen more vehicles convoyed down the highway and wrapped up the annual ride with a barbecue in Beauval.

“This year we had great support. Our local nurse was in the ambulance, our community RCMP officer was ahead and a good support team handing out sandwiches and water along the way,” Veronica said.

She added the group doesn’t raise money for anything; they just want to raise awareness of suicide and end the stigmas surrounding mental illness.

“It’s OK to ask for help, there is help out there and people shouldn’t be feeling alone, just something I want to say to the people… it’s OK to ask for help,” she said.

A few times, the convoy stopped for a break and to pray. Veronica said she was thrilled to see so many people there — everyone from five-year-old toddlers to 62-year-old seniors took part in the ride.

A few people joined at the starting location, while groups including staff from Meadow Lake Tribal Council met the ride and participated in prayers by providing drumming. Others travelling down the highway stopped to show support for riders and encouraged them to keep it up.

The Aug. 16 ride took nine hours. Veronica said it used to take 10 but joked they’re in better shape, making the ride a little faster.

On Sept. 10, which is Worldwide Suicide Day, the group plans to organize another ride from Buffalo Narrows to Beauval, a distance of approximately 120 km.

“I want to see if all the northern communities can join us as a unity. We start from Buffalo Narrows, then Dillon can join, Kendall River, then Beauval. We stop at the intersections so you don’t have to go all the way; you can rotate,” Veronica said.

 

Colton Swiderski is meadowlakeNOW’s municipal affairs, crime and court, health and education reporter. He can be reached at cswiderski@jpbg.ca or tweet him @coltonswiderski.