Carter Armstrong started a journey on April 10, not only to raise awareness for mental health but also to prove to himself that he was capable of great things. And maybe even raise some money for the Canadian Mental Health Association along the way.

The journey was born from some tragic beginnings.

“I was in a very dark place,” Armstrong said.

He described how he has battled mental health challenges for much of his life, battles that became more challenging after losing someone close to suicide two years ago. Armstrong went on to say how things reached a breaking point a few months ago. After surviving his own suicide attempt, which he is thankful to have made it through, he realized he still had so much more to give.

The next day, he went for a run. And that run, he said, put him on the path he is on today.

“Running has always helped my mental health,” he explained. “I started thinking, what can I do to help someone else who’s in that same position?”

From that question came an ambitious answer. Armstrong would run across the country, from Vancouver to his home in Ontario, raising awareness and funds for mental health along the way.

The run is also about his own personal healing, as well as advocacy for wellness.

“A big part of it is to inspire people, but it’s also for me,” he says. “To show myself that I can do anything.”

His chosen route stretches thousands of kilometres, following Highway 1 eastward towards home. Armstrong is running unsupported, carrying everything he needs: water, food, clothing, and gear weighing up to 50 pounds along the way.

His initial goal was to reach his destination in 50 days. Reality, however, has forced some adjustments.

“I did 60 km the first day, then 45, then 35, and my body shut down,” he said.

The terrain, particularly in British Columbia, has been unforgiving. Uphill climbs can be brutal, while heading downhill carrying that much weight can be killer on the body. Every step, he said, hurts.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat it,” Said Armstrong, “I’ve never really felt so much pain.”

A pain, he says, that keeps him thankful. Helped in great part by the connections he is making along the journey.

Strangers stop to offer water, encouragement, or simply a wave. Messages have been pouring in from people following his journey on the socials. Some people are even sharing that his story is helping them through their own struggles.

“That makes it worth the pain,” Armstrong said.

The run is raising money for the Canadian Mental Health Association through a GoFundMe campaign. Armstrong chose to fundraise independently, ensuring that donations go directly to the cause without the constraints of formal sponsorship.

Beyond fundraising, Armstrong said the best way to support his journey is to reach out, communicate, and spread the word. And maybe bring him a bottle of water.

“Spread the word. Talk to each other,” he says.

This journey is already changing his views on life. Some rough moments, like running out of water on a hot stretch of highway, have really deepened his appreciation for the basics.

“You realize how much we take for granted,” he said. “Even just having water, or a bed to sleep in.”

Despite being exhausted and in pain, Armstrong is dedicated to keep moving forward to reach his goal. Because for him, this run isn’t just about reaching Ontario, it is about proving to himself, and to others, that even in the darkest moments, it is possible to just keep going.

Carter Armstrong can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Follow his journey and maybe even get a little inspired.