PISCATAWAY – Shane Boylan, 15, will ride his motorcycle on Monday and pedal 10 miles along the Raritan River reminiscent of his father.
This will be the fifth annual fundraiser for the second-year student of the best school, which turns the pain of his father’s suicide 4 years ago into action, awareness and prevention.
This is the first circular with the banner of Boylan’s non-profit “Depression Doesn’t Roll” foundation.
Boylan rides because his father was an avid cyclist. The two traveled together in Johnson Park, the site of the annual event. When he comes up, Boylan remembers the moments satisfied with his father, and there were many, and he hopes to be. able to help others in their mission.
Boylan began his guilty plea at age 10, a few months after his father’s death, and his father, Tim Boylan, 51 when he committed suicide in January 2016.
Tim Boylan struggled with anxiety, depression and alcohol dependence and, despite seeking remedy and taking medication, eventually committed suicide.
“I need not to forget my father for the user who was in families who seem to suffer depression doesn’t mean someone is a bad user, but they’re fighting a disease, like cancer, diabetes or whatever,” Boylan said.
Suicide mortality is expanding with the many demanding situations it has brought in 2020. In an April paper published through The Journal of the American Medical Association, he warned that the COVID-19 pandemic could create the “perfect storm” for a strong build-up in suicides due to social isolation, economic stress, lack of access to services, increased arms sales, and lack of access to intellectual fitness treatment. Other points of 2020, such as civil unrest and political turmoil, are only added to stressors.
READ: Student-athletes report that anxiety and depression are the ability to play sports in the midst of a pandemic
Boylan’s trip is the Monday after Father’s Day in June. Due to social estating and previous executive orders to meet in small groups, the June occasion was postponed by 6 p. m. Monday, which is also Boylan’s 15th birthday. The new date also rightly falls into Suicide Occasion Month.
On Thursday, World Suicide Prevention Day, Boylan sought to let others know that suicide is not the answer, especially in a difficult year.
“This is a difficult year and prevention efforts are important,” he said.
From the beginning, the occasion was her idea, Boylan’s mother, Aanika Boylan, said. He came to see her three months after her father’s death and asked if there were “other people there to help other people like that. “, has become one of the other people.
“I enjoyed helping others, ” said Boylan. ” So it was vital to me. And I looked for a way to honor my father’s memory. When I found out how and how he died, because I didn’t know much about what was going on before – I really needed to help other people go through the same thing. I connected them and started the charity motorcycle journey. “
She believes the annual tour and now the base have helped heal the circle of relatives.
“It’s still an emotional thing, as we practice this every year,” Aanika Boylan said. “As a circle of relatives, we wish we had done more, we wondered” What did we miss?”And that’s why we helped Shane. ” Shane makes this journey for us as a circle of relatives is helping us through the grieving process. This is helping us stay focused on the concept that there are tactics to prevent him from suicide. “
Boylan now aims to teach his peers, networks and the public about the pervasive nature of depression disease and the misfortune that results from the tragedy of suicide. You also need to increase your budget that can help you better treat depression. suicide prevention, he said.
Previously, the cash raised would benefit from express organizations or foundations. By creating his own foundation, Boylan is more able to know where the cash raised would spend and how it would help.
One of Boylan’s main goals is the misfortune and stigma surrounding suicide, depression and other intellectual diseases.
“I need to raise awareness, that’s my main purpose right now. Eliminating misfortune is one of the most important things we can do to combat depression because misfortune kills,” said Boylan, who is part of the municipality’s working group committee. I need others who have suffered it to be able to communicate freely about what they are going through and not feel dishonored or ashamed to ask for help, so let’s provide ourselves with our heads held high, able to make our component and another. . “
One of the most important things for Boylan is that the network combines and supports others.
“Then other people who are suffering can ask, even if it can be very difficult,” he said. “It’s incredibly important. “
Boylan hopes the 2020 motorcycle ride will be an opportunity for others to revel in a “positive joy of solidarity” after months of social isolation. The occasion will comply with all pandemic protection protocols. The public is invited to travel with Boylan in the 10-mile flat direction along the Raritan River or to cheer on runners along the way.
“Come ride with us, we can do it safely,” Boylan said. “Just look at the yellow balloons. “
To make a donation, go to www. depressiondoesntride. com/.
Email: cmakin@gannettnj. com
Cheryl Makin is a journalist for MyCentralJersey. com. For unlimited access to your award-winning work, sign up or activate your virtual account today.