logo
B.C man running across Canada for mental health awareness makes stop in Ottawa

B.C man running across Canada for mental health awareness makes stop in Ottawa

CTV Newsa day ago
Sachin Latti poses with members of the Ottawa Police Service on Aug. 17, 2025. (Kimberley Johnson/CTV News Ottawa)
A British Columbia man is running across Canada in the hopes of raising $1 million for mental health initiatives, and his stop in Ottawa is making an impression.
Sachin Latti is running an ultramarathon a day – 50 kilometres – from Victoria B.C. to St John's N.L. in an effort to raise awareness about mental health. On Sunday, he was joined by local youth and members of the Ottawa Police Service on a portion of his run.
Latti says running saved his life.
'I was struggling a great deal about five years ago with my mental health,' he said in an interview with CTV News Ottawa.
'I ended up having a major depressive episode. So, it all kind of came to a head.'
The former border service agent and father says he was able to find purpose and quiet his mind through running.
'Running for me is community, connection and movement,' he said. 'I'm moving. I get to connect with people and I get to create a community around me that gets to support me, and I get to support them when I'm struggling.'
According to Statistics Canada, nearly one in five people over the age of fifteen experience mental health issues.
'I think the mental health crisis that Canadians are feeling right now is an existential crisis,' said Latti. 'I think it's extremely important that we talk about it, that we do something about it and that we engage community with it.'
On Sunday, ran five kilometres in the nation's capital.
Randy Gill is with Their Opportunity, one of the charities Latti is raising money for. It creates programs for under serviced youth to join athletic programs.
He says it's important for youth to see what's possible.
'It's important to get the word out about how important physical health and wellbeing is as much as mental health well being is. It's connected,' Gill said. 'Getting them to be active helps them with school, helps them with relationships, helps them really light up their world.'
Ottawa Deputy Police Chief Paul Burnett says Latti's advocacy work is vital for first responders.
'It's absolutely important,' he said.
'We're dealing with those situations that most people don't want to deal with on a daily basis. We're running towards danger when others are running away. Managing that on a daily basis can be a struggle for our members.'
Sixty-three days in, the journey is leaving an impression with those lacing up.
'To be honest, I could never do that. But, to have somebody who cares so much about other's mental health, it's great to see,' said runner Yvan Mugisha.
'To really get your blood flowing and running alongside him, who's running 50 kilometres a day, it's truly inspiring,' says Liam Kelk.
The entire journey is expected to take a little more than 80 days.
On Monday, Latti and his team say they will visit Clarence Rockland's Alain Potvin Park for a community run and to livestream his run. He says donations will be matched up to $20,000 for a total potential fundraising of $40,000.
Latti says the work continues.
'People are struggling every single day,' he says. 'So, this is super important and we're not stopping.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

What does it feel like to age and live with dementia? These simulations can show you

time40 minutes ago

What does it feel like to age and live with dementia? These simulations can show you

LISTEN | The Current: What's it like to have dementia? This care centre can teach you (new window) What if you could truly feel what it's like to grow old — as your body slows down, your senses fade, and the world becomes harder to navigate — years before your own time comes? At a Toronto simulation centre, that understanding becomes visceral, offering caregivers a powerful way to build empathy and gain deeper insight into the daily realities of those they care for. The people we put in this, are not frail, older adults, so they get to embody an experience that's different from their own, and we hope that it changes the way that they approach and interact with the people they work with, Meaghan Adams told The Current' s host Matt Galloway. Adams is the manager of simulation and virtual learning at Baycrest's Centre for Education and Knowledge Exchange in Aging, and she guided Galloway through the experience earlier this year. She began by dressing him in a weighted jumpsuit, followed by tight bands wrapped around his elbows, knees and neck to restrict movement. Next came goggles that blurred his vision, earplugs that muffled his hearing and gloves that dulled his sense of touch. Once fully suited up, Galloway was given a cane and asked to walk to a bookshelf and pick out a book. His movements were slow and the physical discomfort was soon accompanied by emotional unease. There's a real anxiety, Galloway told Adams. "I can't perceive certain things ... there's other people around, but I don't know what's going on." It's just one of the tools the centre uses to give people a sense of what it's like to age. They also have a tablet-based simulation that lets users experience life with dementia — like mistaking a robe on a bathroom door for a person, causing fear or confusion. Enlarge image (new window) The Current's host Matt Galloway, left, wears a frailty simulation suit. On the right, he tests a tablet-based VR experience simulating dementia, guided by simulation manager Meaghan Adams at Baycrest's Centre for Education and Knowledge Exchange in Aging. Photo: CBC / Meli Gumus Older adults are the fastest-growing demographic in Canada. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research projects that by 2026 (new window) , more than one in five Canadians will be seniors. By 2046, the number of Canadians aged 85 and older (new window) is expected to triple. Aging doesn't automatically mean (new window) becoming feeble — but it does raise the risk of chronic illness, physical decline and cognitive impairments. Over 1.6 million Canadians currently live with frailty, which is projected to increase to (new window) more than 2.5 million in the next decade. As well, the number of Canadians living with dementia (new window) is expected to climb by 187 per cent between 2020 and 2050, reaching over 1.7 million people. And as the number of people needing care increases, so too does the number of caregivers. One in four Canadians provide care (new window) to a friend, family member, or neighbour and half of Canadians will do so at some point in their lives. Supporting caregivers According to Dr. Samir Sinha, director of health policy research for the National Institute on Ageing at Toronto Metropolitan University, caregiving for a loved one is a 24/7 job. As such, empathy-building simulation tools, Sinha says, not only deepen understanding of those receiving care, but also highlight the challenges caregivers themselves face. We have to recognize that caregivers do need support and we should really focus on making sure that we can provide the necessary support in whatever way is possible, he said. WATCH | Caring for loved ones without burning out: He says he works with a woman who has been caring for her husband with dementia for eight years. Sinha's role is to ensure she has the information, strategies and confidence she needs to handle complex and emotionally challenging situations. The less knowledge a caregiver has, he says, the more stressful the experience becomes. Many caregivers suffer from anxiety, depression and physical health problems. While emotional support is essential, he says practical assistance is just as important. That same caregiver's husband attends an adult dementia day program several days a week — giving her crucial time to rest and recharge, says Sinha. Also, caregivers often spend thousands of dollars each year on out-of-pocket costs like transportation. Enlarge image (new window) Dr. Samir Sinha is the director of health policy research at the National Institute on Ageing and a geriatrician at Sinai Health System and the University Health Network in Toronto. Photo: CBC / Turgut Yeter Fostering relationship-centred care For Adams, simulations like those done at her centre are important for creating a more compassionate model of care. In busy health-care settings (new window) , it's easy for providers to focus on tasks and forget the person behind the diagnosis, she says. Adams believes empathy must be cultivated. We have to be intentional about giving people opportunities to … step back from the constant day-to-day rush and connect with why they're in the careers that they're in, said Adams. People are in health care because they value caring and helping others. She says the simulations are designed to create a shift in perspective which for some people, can be visceral. Sometimes people get upset — they cry, because you feel something, said Adams. You feel something that you wouldn't if I stood up in front of you and said, 'Older people have different hearing and different vision, and frailty looks like this.' LISTEN | Talking to our parents about growing older (new window) That emotional connection, she says, helps everyone involved in care — staff, residents, families and friends — focus on the human being, not just the condition. They're a person with dementia, but they're a person, and they have preferences and histories and families and wonderful, rich, life stories, Adams said. If you can connect with that, you connect with the person that's still there. Catherine Zhu (new window) · CBC Radio · Journalist Catherine Zhu is a writer and associate producer for CBC Radio. Her reporting interests include science, arts and culture and social justice. She holds a master's degree in journalism from the University of British Columbia. You can reach her at Interview with Meaghan Adams and Marilyn Sunshine produced by Meli Gumus

Making health equal by investing in community projects Français
Making health equal by investing in community projects Français

Cision Canada

time5 hours ago

  • Cision Canada

Making health equal by investing in community projects Français

OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced over $3 million for 14 projects to make sure everyone has a fair chance to be healthy. By improving access to food and housing security, job stability, and better health outcomes, these projects, to be completed over the next two years, will help everyone in Canada reach their full health potential and live their healthiest life. Launched in 2021, the Intersectoral Action Fund (ISAF) supports communities to overcome complex public health challenges by strengthening their capacity to collaborate with community members, stakeholders and decision-makers to improve the social conditions that affect health, building the foundation for resilient communities. With the projects announced today, ISAF has now funded 57 projects to advance health equity and strengthen communities to face current and future health challenges across the country. Quotes "By giving everyone a fair chance to live a healthier life, we are not only improving individual well-being, we are also reducing health care costs, boosting productivity and building a stronger economy. These projects demonstrate the importance of working together to address the root causes of health inequities, so all Canadians can have the opportunity to live their healthiest life possible." The Honourable Marjorie Michel Minister of Health Quick Facts Social determinants of health are the social, economic and environmental factors that relate to an individual's place in society and determine individual and population health. This could include gender, race, income, education or employment. These determinants are shaped by the distribution of wealth, power and opportunities within and between populations. Intersectoral action refers to the ways that different groups and sectors of society work together to enhance the health of communities. ISAF helps communities strengthen their capacity for such action and address the social determinants of health and health inequities. Related Products Supporting projects to advance health equity Associated Links Intersectoral Action Fund SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada

Government of Canada improves access to health services for Francophone minority communities in Ontario Français
Government of Canada improves access to health services for Francophone minority communities in Ontario Français

Cision Canada

time6 hours ago

  • Cision Canada

Government of Canada improves access to health services for Francophone minority communities in Ontario Français

OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester, on behalf of the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced more than $33 million to four francophone post-secondary training institutions across Ontario and $1 million in funding to the Government of Ontario to improve access to health services in French for Francophone communities. These investments will support innovative projects to improve health services in French through the Official Languages Health Program (OLHP). Initiatives include increasing access to care, improving recruitment and training in francophone post-secondary health programs, and enhancing data collection and analysis of linguistic identifiers on health cards. The Government of Canda will continue working with partners to improve access to health care services for everyone, including services in the official language of their choice. Quotes "Everyone in Canada should have access to health services in their official language of choice, regardless of where they live. When it comes to health care, a language barrier can lead to a life-or-death situation. This is why the Government of Canada is supporting projects that will improve access to health services for Francophones and Anglophones living in minority communities in Canada." The Honourable Marjorie Michel Minister of Health "As a proud Franco-Ontarian, I know how important it is for Francophones in minority communities to receive health services in the language of their choice. Our investment will improve access to more inclusive and effective care and make sure official languages are supported within our health care system." The Honourable Mona Fortier Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester "Our two official languages are at the heart of our identity, uniting us from coast to coast to coast and making us stronger together. As a government, we are taking concrete action to ensure that Canadians—no matter where they live—can access health services in the official language of their choice. I am pleased that this funding will support projects that strengthen our bilingual identity, not only in Ontario but right across Canada." The Honourable Steven Guilbeault Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages "The importance of preparing the next generation of French-speaking health care workers, from recruitment to professional integration in Francophone minority communities, cannot be overstated. Health Canada's contribution will leverage the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne's (ACUFC) ability to support postsecondary institutions that are members of the Consortium national de formation en santé in their efforts to increase the number of health professionals providing French-language services. It will also allow our network to continue to overcome existing barriers and ensure that Canadians have access to equitable health services in the language of their choice." Martin Normand President and Chief Executive Officer, Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne - Consortium national de formation en santé "The University of Ottawa is a leader in training the researchers, physicians, nurses, and other health professionals who provide health care for francophone patients in Francophone minority communities in Ontario and across Canada. The excellence and the stability of the health care system depends on developing the next generation of professionals, and this investment promises to support quality care for patients in Francophone minority communities in Ontario. The University of Ottawa is committed to promoting the Francophonie in all its research and learning activities in the health field, and we recognize the important role of the federal government as a key partner." Marie-Eve Sylvestre, President and Vice-chancellor of the University of Ottawa Quick Facts This funding is in addition to the $15.4 million announced by the Government of Canada in May 2023, to three academic institutions and a community health network to improve access to health services for Francophones living in a minority setting in Northern Ontario. The OLHP was launched in 2003 and receives funding through the Government of Canada's Action Plan for Official Languages. The Program supports non-profit organizations, post-secondary institutions and provincial and territorial governments that aim to improve access to health services for official language minority communities (OLMC) - Francophones living outside Quebec and English-speaking communities in Quebec. The " Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection-Promotion-Collaboration" announced that, in addition to existing funding of $192.2 million over five years, Health Canada's OLHP will also receive $14.5 million over five years (for a total of $206.7 million over five years). This additional funding will support non-profit organizations, provincial and territorial governments and post-secondary institutions that serve OLMCs to train and retain bilingual health professionals, support health networking initiatives as well as innovative projects. Budget 2023 outlined the Government's plan to invest close to $200 billion over 10 years, including $46.2 billion in new funding to provinces and territories to strengthen Canada's public health care system. This includes $25 billion of funding through tailored bilateral agreements to meet the specific needs of each province and territory.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store