A Grande Prairie teenager’s remarkable cross-country journey for mental health awareness is approaching its powerful conclusion as she returns to her hometown. Seventeen-year-old Emma Lockhart has spent the past three months running across Canada, covering over 6,000 kilometers while raising both funds and critical awareness for youth mental health resources.
“When I started this journey in Halifax, I honestly wasn’t sure I would make it this far,” Lockhart told me during our interview at her welcome ceremony yesterday. “But every message from someone saying my run helped them feel less alone gave me the strength to keep going, even on the hardest days.”
Lockhart’s “Miles for Minds” campaign has already raised more than $175,000 for mental health programs specifically targeting teenagers in rural communities across Canada. The initiative was born from personal experience after Lockhart struggled with depression following her brother’s diagnosis with bipolar disorder two years ago.
Local support has been overwhelming as Grande Prairie residents lined portions of Highway 43 yesterday, cheering as Lockhart made her approach to the city. Mayor Rebecca Thompson officially declared June 26th “Youth Mental Health Awareness Day” in Grande Prairie, presenting Lockhart with a ceremonial key to the city at a gathering attended by over 300 community members.
“What Emma has accomplished goes far beyond the physical feat,” said Dr. Amelia Chen, Director of Youth Services at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital. “She’s created space for crucial conversations about mental health in communities where these discussions have traditionally been stigmatized.”
The impact extends beyond fundraising. Schools along Lockhart’s route report increased student engagement with mental health resources. At Grande Prairie Composite High School, where Lockhart is a senior, counseling appointments have increased 45% since she began her journey.
“Students who would never have walked through my door before are now coming in,” said school counselor James Wilson. “They’re pointing to Emma and saying ‘if she can run across Canada, maybe I can ask for help.'”
The final leg of Lockhart’s journey will take her through northern British Columbia to Victoria, where she plans to complete her run by dipping her running shoes in the Pacific Ocean – mirroring how she began by touching the Atlantic in Halifax.
Provincial health officials are taking notice. Alberta Health Services announced yesterday they will allocate $250,000 to expand youth mental health services in the Peace Region, citing Lockhart’s campaign as a catalyst for the decision.
“This isn’t about me anymore,” Lockhart explained, visibly moved by the community response. “It’s about making sure every kid knows they’re not alone, especially in smaller communities where resources can be harder to access.”
Local businesses have joined the cause, with Grande Prairie’s Chamber of Commerce coordinating a matching donation program that has already secured commitments from twenty-seven local companies.
As Lockhart prepares for her final push westward, she leaves her hometown with a strengthened resolve and a community forever changed by her advocacy. The question now facing Grande Prairie and communities across Canada is whether this moment can be transformed into lasting change: How do we ensure that the conversations Emma Lockhart started continue long after her remarkable journey ends?
