A local father is traveling from Seattle, Washington, to Alexandria, Virginia, on his bicycle to raise awareness about depression and suicide. The journey is to honor his son who took his life last year. News4’s Darcy Spencer reports.
The father of a D.C. teen who died by suicide last year is riding a bike thousands of miles across the country in memory of his son and hoping to raise awareness about mental health along the way.
Olutayo Ayodeji said his 16-year-old son Sule took his own life in July 2015.
Family members remember Sule as a bright and loving teen who wanted to travel the country.
Ayodeji's cross-country bike ride is the 3,500-mile journey he and his son had planned on taking after Sule graduated from high school.
He said, so far, the journey has been therapeutic.
"Hopefully, at the end of this journey, I'll be better," Ayodeji said.
Ayodeji started the trip on June 30 in Seattle and is currently in Iowa. He plans to make it back to Alexandria, Virginia on Aug. 15.
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He talks to everyone he meets on his journey about suicide prevention and Sule's battle with clinical depression.
"It's a journey of healing, a journey of restoration, a journey of strength," said Betsy Calloway, Ayodeji's sister.
Calloway is part of a network of family members keeping track of Ayodeji's ride through his Facebook videos and photos.
"We're excited. We're proud and we're just all trying to do our part," Calloway said. "We're his cheerleading squad."
The family said they want to spread the message for people to be aware of the signs of depression and make sure people get the help they need.
