Two Friends, 3,500+ Miles, and 1 Mission: Raising Awareness for Suicide Prevention

Three years ago, Mike Mariani’s life changed forever when he lost his older brother, Nathan — known by his friends and family as Nate — to suicide. For those that knew and loved Nate, it was a devastating and unimaginable loss.

Nate was a junior at Keene High School. He was known for his sense of humor and love of the outdoors. You could often find him hiking, camping, and biking. He was a beloved son, brother, and friend to so many in his community.

In the aftermath of Nate’s death, Mike created Pedaling for Prevention with his best friend, Devin Mclaughlin. The two planned a cross-country bike trip which would span over 3,762 miles. They hoped that their journey would not only serve as a way to honor Nate’s life but also to help raise awareness for suicide prevention.

Both Mike and Devin also wanted to use their cross-country journey as a way to raise money for The Samaritans, a Keene-based nonprofit that provides an anonymous crisis hotline and other resources to those battling depression in New Hampshire.

While the two’s plans were initially disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, it didn’t stop them from their mission. Instead of embarking on their scheduled cross-country cycling route last summer, they instead traveled across New England, holding socially distanced meet-and-greets where other Granite Staters could share their stories about losing a loved one to suicide.

This summer, Mike and Devin were finally able to embark on their nearly 4,000-mile bike ride. Throughout their ride, they’ve shared their story with different people they met and posted social media updates about suicide prevention and awareness. Their reach has now extended far beyond New Hampshire and the two friends are making a positive impact by educating others about the importance of reaching out for help and suicide prevention.

I’m proud to name Mike and Devin as September’s Granite Staters of the Month. These two thoughtful, brave, and determined young people embody what it means to be a Granite Stater. After a heartbreaking loss that reverberated through an entire community, Mike and Devin decided to make a positive impact by spreading a message of resilience and hope, all the while educating others about suicide prevention and the importance of reaching out for help.

Do you know a Granite Stater who should be next month’s Granite Stater of the Month? Nominate them here.