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SALT LAKE CITY — Suicide has become an epidemic across the country and in Utah, and a special bicycle ride will be held Saturday to honor a man who lost his battle with mental illness.
Zach Ludlow inherited a love for cycling from his father, Gary Ludlow, and four years ago, Zach organized the Gary Ludlow Memorial Ride to honor his father. It has become a ride for hope, healing and happiness for those affected by suicide.
"When I was 14, he bought me my first bike, cycling bike, road bike so that I could ride with him," Zach said.
Gary Ludlow ran track for UCLA and then became a professional cyclist, but he gave up the circuit to take care of his family.
"He was an amazing father," Zach said. "He put us first."
Gary worked hard to support his family while battling a debilitating mental illness where he had "ups and downs" for eight years, according to Zach.
In 2008, Gary was admitted to the psychiatric ward at LDS Hospital for severe depression.
"He was so ashamed of himself and so depressed that he couldn't look his own children in the eye," Zach said.
Gary received electroconvulsive therapy but the side-effects worsened his condition.
"He lost his personality, his coordination, his agility, his love for cycling," Zach said.
It is not something we should be afraid to talk about it. There are answers, just like the common cold. This can be cured.
–Zach Ludlow
Gary continued to take medication but without supervision from a psychiatrist, and in 2009 a week after Thanksgiving, he lost his battle with mental illness and died by suicide.
His death shocked everyone that knew him.
In the U.S. suicide now takes more lives than war, murder and natural disasters combined. Many survivors of suicide are haunted by so many questions and "what ifs" that can never be answered.
Zach said his healing has come by raising awareness for suicide prevention.
"It is not something we should be afraid to talk about it," Zach said. "There are answers, just like the common cold. This can be cured."
Specialists say the first step is to simply talk about it by asking for help or offering help.
