Until Argentina bike to deal with her depression

Photo courtesy
Jerome Pilette is gone from the home of his parents, Mascouche, in July. It carries nearly 100 pounds of luggage on his bike.

Catherine Montambeault

Thursday, march 1, 2018 01:00

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Thursday, march 1, 2018 01:00

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A Montrealer who had almost no experience in cycling began on a whim a cycling trip to Argentina in order to combat his depression.

“Before my departure, I think the greatest distance I had traveled by bike, it was about four kilometres to go buy stuff in anticipation of my trip,” says Jérôme Pilette.

The man, 34-year-old left home with her parents in Mascouche last July, while completing his most recent contract as a narrator and the lease of his apartment in Montreal was due to mature. After having gone through several periods of depression over the past 15 years, Mr. Pilette had ” need of change “, he explains.

“It’s been so long that I always dreamed of doing a trip of the kind, and I wanted to break the pattern,” he says. I had the choice between taking my savings and paying of my student debt, or put it in a travel… And here I am ! “

Jerome Pilette first set en route to the United States through Ontario. He then criss-crossed the State of New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, stopping on his way to sleep under the stars or spend the night at good samaritans who were willing to host it.

Hurricane Harvey

When he reached Kentucky at the end of the month of August, the traveller has learned that hurricane Harvey had hit the Texas. As the city of Houston was already a part of his itinerary, Mr. Pilette has decided that he would stop a few days to give a helping hand to the disaster victims.

“While I was en route to Houston, I wondered naively if people would still need help when I could,” he remembers. In reality, they have for at least two or three years old to need help. “

Upon his arrival in Texas at the end of the month of October, the Quebecer was able to see the extent of the damage caused by the most powerful hurricane to hit the United States since 2005.

Next stop : Mexico

While he had intended to remain in place for about ten days, Jérôme Pilette has finally volunteered for two months in Houston and for a further two months to Aransas Pass. He joined the charity All Hands and Hearts, who comes to the aid of communities affected by natural disasters.

“It removes the debris on the land, are removed from the surfaces of the houses where the mould is installed, and it disinfects the premises,” he says. It is very touching to hear the stories of the people. “

This week, Mr. Pilette is expected to ride her bike again and headed to Mexico, where the organization All Hands and Hearts has launched a school construction project. It will always go up in Argentina, but does not give a deadline to complete his journey.

Not a treatment, but beneficial when the same

Although travel does not represent a true cure for depression, this kind of personal project can promote the recovery of people with depression, according to an expert.

Ideally, a person suffering from depression should undertake a treatment such as psychotherapy or a drug therapy, said first Janie Houle, professor of psychology at UQAM.

Photo courtoisieJanie Houle, Professor of psychology

“But beyond these treatments, the person may also be asking itself actions that can allow him to get better,” she said. It’s called the self-management of depression, and it is quite encouraged. “

“To do enjoyable activities, during which you feel good and which make us feel that our life has a meaning, it can only be positive,” she adds.

Physical activity

In the case of Jérôme Pilette, the fact of making his journey a bike may also be beneficial to her mental health, since “several studies show a link between physical activity and decreased symptoms of depression,” said Ms. Houle.

Since his departure from Quebec, Mr. Pilette says seeing his black thoughts fade little by little.

“When you’re on a bike all day, your only goal is to move forward. There is just one direction, that is towards the front. It, it makes me feel good “, he explains.

“And when you live with 50-60 people in a gym, you can’t really stay in bed and spend your day feeling depressed !” he adds.

Share his experience

Upon his return to Quebec, he wishes to share his experience with other people suffering from depression.

“I don’t know yet what form it will take, but it is my main goal,” he said. Because in Quebec, I find that the prevention is not really our strong, especially in regards to mental health. “

To follow the adventures of Jérôme Pilette, on his blog at www.jeromepilette.com. A campaign on GoFundMe has also been launched to fund his trip.