XIAMEN, CHINA (NEWS1130) - A Vancouver school teacher is biking around the world to battle the misconceptions around mental illness. Michael Schratter has been riding for about 10 months and is currently in China.
His goal is to cycle 40,000 kilometres around the globe, crossing six continents and 30 countries in the process.
Schratter battled mental illness while in university and that's where he drew much of his inspiration. "[I was told] to keep it private, not to talk about it and things like that. It really bothered me that I had the feeling that I had something to be ashamed about."
So far, he has raised close to $38,000 and has travelled over 22,000 kilometres.
He says the most challenging part has been being alone on the journey but he explains it's been made easier by meeting friendly faces in every new country.