RTNT Episode 32 LIVE on CJRU: #SickNotWeak an interview with Michael Landsberg

Radio Totally Normal Toronto

Radio Totally Normal Toronto, or RTNT for short, is a voice for community mental health; produced by the members and staff of Progress Place, a mental wellness clubhouse in downtown Toronto. Episode 32 was hosted by Janice on CJRU 1280AM, Wednesday, August 12, 2020. This month we're talking about Mental Health and Sports. We had an opportunity to interview Michael Landsberg after an event hosted by Progress Place Clubhouse and the Rotary Club Toronto. The first part of the show features this interview and afterwards we will listen to a recorded table discussion about mental health and sports with members and staff from Progress Place.

Michael Landsberg is a well known Sports Journalist and the current host of TSN s: “First Up with Landsberg and Colaiacovo”. In 2012, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Health named Landsberg one of its Champions of Mental Health. Landsbergs' documentary, “Darkness and Hope: Depression, Sports and Me”, earned a Canadian Screen Award nomination in 2013. For his longstanding dedication to promoting mental health awareness, Landsberg was honoured with the Humanitarian Award at the 2015 Canadian Screen Awards.

In 2017, he was awarded a Meritous Service Medal, (Civil Division), for his mental health advocacy, presented by the Governor General of Canada, at a ceremony held at Rideau Hall. Michael created the hashtag #sicknotweak and has transformed that into the website sicknotweak.com The website provides a forum for people to share their struggles with mental illness. On the website you can read stories written by people who suffer from the many forms of mental illness. Also you can watch the daily “Landsblog”, in which Michael shares his thoughts and stories.

Michael's objectives on the website are: To help people understand that mental illness is a sickness, not a weakness. To create a community of people who come to gain strength and stay to give strength. To help both sufferers and the people who care about them. Get as many people as possible, in a loud, firm, confident voice to share the words “I am SickNotWeak” To see the Toronto Maple Leafs win a Stanley Cup in my lifetime Michael also states: “ I am unconventional. I am not limited like other initiatives by corporate correctness or medical agendas. I believe that the traditional way - whispered, clinical, formal and the sanitized, adds to the shame and reinforces the belief that people are weak, not sick.” SickNotWeak can also be found on Twitter and Facebook. There is also a SickNotWeak channel on Youtube. On his channel, check out the clip “What is SickNotWeak”, it is hilarious and informative.

Progress Place Warm Line have extended their hours to offer support to anyone feeling isolated or needing a friendly chat during these times.

Between 12pm - 8pm, Call 416-323-3721

Between 8pm - Midnight, Call 416-960-WARM (9276)

Text 647-557-5882

You can also chat online on warmline.ca

Thank you to everyone that worked so hard to keep the RTNT production going through these times. Thank you to our listeners, and we want to let you know that you are not alone. During these uncertain times, stay connected with a community that supports you can help us go through the worry and overwhelming news. We are here for you. To learn more about RTNT or listen to previous episodes please check out our website radiototallynormaltoronto.org. Also, the show is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast and many more if you search up Radio Totally Normal Toronto.