From the time he could walk, Ben Verboom was

riding bikes with his dad.

The two were cycling enthusiasts.

Ben’s dad even rode from their hometown of Toronto to New York after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to raise money for the Red Cross.

When Ben was in high school, they talked at length about making the trip from one end of Canada to another on bikes.

But that never happened.

Ben’s dad committed suicide.

Ben didn’t know how to deal with his death.

He never knew his dad suffered from depression.

He was crushed and hurt.

He was angry and embarrassed.

He stopped riding his bike — until now.

Six years after his dad’s death, Ben, 20, is cycling across Canada — 9,000 kilometres in 90 days — to raise awareness about suicide as a mental illness.

“For about five years or so, I never talked about it — it was a huge shock for me,” Ben told KTW while in Kamloops this week.

“But, a couple of years ago, I started learning more about the issues around suicide and depression and, unfortunately, they’re more prevalent than I thought.”

Realizing his wasn’t just the “unlucky family” that had to deal with such a traumatic death of a loved one pushed him to share his story with others.

Ben’s goal is to change the way society looks at suicide and get rid of the stigma attached to what he said is preventable.

“My main focus is to start a dialogue about the issues — one that’s compassionate and comfortable,” he said.

“Suicide is an issue we need to bring to the forefront.”

Although Ben is on a solo physical journey, his dad’s memory is close at hand — Ben is riding his dad’s bike.

“I’m fulfilling that dream, but I’m also coping with his death.

“It’s been a healing process and I’m feeling really good about it.”

For more information about Ben’s ride, go online to cycletohelp.org or e-mail info@cycletohelp.org.