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
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.