Teen fundraises over $100K for mental health
Former TSN broadcaster and mental health advocate Michael Landsberg was happy to be able to speak to a live audience for the first time since the pandemic began.
"Today I get to impact people’s lives."
Landsberg was in Essex, Ontario as the keynote speaker at an event called Minds Matter, organized by 19-year old MacKenzie Cassidy who said, "coming out of COVID now we’re experiencing people who left without resources. They’ve been isolated for a year and a half. It’s important that our community recognizes that and gives back."
The community stepped up as Cassidy was able to present the Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare Foundation a cheque for $112,000. Foundation president Bill Marra says that money is a game changer.
"We have to think long term. Long game and think about the focus involved in dealing with this."
About a hundred enjoyed Landsberg humour and insight into his struggles with depression and mental health.
"When they hear what if feels like to you and they say that’s exactly what I’m experiencing, they feel understood. There’s huge power in feeling like you’re understood," said Landsberg, who feels a lot of people who weren’t sick before the pandemic now join the millions that are more sick than before March 2020.
"I think it will take us a while to really figure out what’s the damage from this."
As a show of support Michael Tibollo, Ontario’s Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions was on hand. Over two years ago the Ford government earmarked 3.8 million dollars for mental health and addictions treatment and feels the current investments are generational.
"They’re providing a foundation today to ensure that the mental health not just our children and youth but when they become adults is gonna be that much better," said Tibollo.
Marra hopes the investments continue, "any investment is a good investment."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Nearly 20 hours after a man climbed and remained perched on top of the Reconciliation Bridge in downtown Calgary, the situation came to a peaceful resolution.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.