BY MATT LINDSEY
North Country This Week

PARISHVILLE — A local father of three is on North Country kayaking trek from Tupper Lake to Massena to raise awareness about the interconnectedness between bullying and suicide.

With bullying, suicide and violence at schools in the headlines, Shawn Wright, 43, wants to share his experience to help others.

Two of his children attend Parishville-Hopkinton Central and another graduated in 2021.

Wright’s children are Andrew, Harley and Jacob. “Three amazing kids,” the father said.

“I want the attention from this put on the issues, not myself,” Wright said. “I’ve been on every side of these issues. I've been the bully. I've been bullied and 5 years ago I almost took my own life.”

Wright hit the water this morning just south of Tupper Lake around 830 a.m. and will continue to the Raquette River.

He will continue through South Colton, Colton, Hannawa Falls and Potsdam Thursday and Norwood, Norfolk, Raymondville, and Massena on Friday.

To round out the trip, on Saturday he will kayak on the St. Lawrence River to the Massena Town Beach.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is 1-800-273-8255. Locally, Reachout is a free, confidential, non-judgmental crisis and information hotline serving residents of St. Lawrence County. They focus on crisis services and supportive listening, and provide other services as needed. Reachout’s hotline is 315-265-2422.