For Rudy Uhl, advocating for mental health awareness and support is personal.
When he was studying for his master’s degree in economics in Germany, he began to struggle with loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic, depression, anxiety and stress from the pressures of school.
“During that time too, I lost some former friends and teammates that had taken their own lives,” Uhl said.
These experiences shaped Uhl’s understanding of the importance of mental health awareness and support, pushing the 29-year-old North Vancouver resident to cycle and run across the country solo to raise $84,775 for the Canadian Mental Health Association – about $10 for every kilometre he moves.
Since May, Uhl has been pedalling 100 kilometres a day across Canada, while running a 50-kilometre ultramarathon in each province.
Currently in Nova Scotia, the athlete is days away from reaching his objective on the coast in St. John’s, Nfld.
“I think it’s going to be a bit of an adjustment to actually stop, but it’ll also be a huge sense of relief to know that I accomplished a goal that I’ve been thinking about for awhile,” he said.
In any given year, one in five people in Canada will experience a mental health problem or illness, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association. The high number is another reason why Uhl is completing this challenge to ensure people aren’t alone.
“I kind of thought mental health was more like a buzzword,” he said. “When I was struggling a lot, I didn’t really try to seek out that help. I tried to battle through it. It wasn’t until I got to my lowest point, then I started seeking help.”
“An important part of it too is just to spark about mental health and try to destigmatize it, and for people to know that if they’re struggling, there’s resources available,” Uhl added. “You never know what anyone’s going through, so just try to check in and have open, vulnerable conversations.”
Taking on the cross-country trek has been no easy task for Uhl, who has been contending with both physical and mental struggles.
“I’ve definitely had a lot of internal battles wanting to just stop on the side of the road and hitchhike,” Uhl said. “It’s kind of daunting when you realize how big this country is and how much time it takes, but I just chunk it out, day-by-day.”
The biker and ultra runner has been documenting his three-month journey on social media, seeing encouragement along the way.
Friends and family have helped him out across the country too, where Uhl has stayed with them in their homes, including his parents in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. Other nights he, spends camping or in the occasional motel.
Alongside raising funds for mental health, the cross-country journey has shown Uhl the beauty in people.
“I’ve been completely blessed by the kindness of strangers, I’ve had an instance of someone pulling over and just giving me water bottles because they saw it was hot out,” Uhl said. “I’ve had people randomly chat me up and then come back later and give me some food, offered me to stay in their house. It’s kind of restored my faith in humanity.”
As his journey soon comes to an end, Uhl said his family and girlfriend will be waiting for him at the finish line in Newfoundland.
The North Van resident has raised more than $39,000 so far for mental health. People can donate to Uhl’s journey on the Canadian Mental Health Association’s website.
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
https://bsky.app/profile/abbyluciano.bsky.social
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