By Canadian Press

Health advocacy work helped to heal Mark Holland during mental health crisis

Aug 8, 2023 | 10:29 AM

OTTAWA — Newly appointed Health Minister Mark Holland says advocating for health research and preventive medicine gave him a sense of purpose during the darkest time in his life.

Holland was in politics for most of his career, except for a four-year break after he lost his seat in 2011.

He spoke candidly last fall about the mental-health struggle he endured at that time, revealing during a committee appearance that he had tried to take his own life.

He started working for Heart & Stroke after his election loss and he says that his work for the foundation in health promotion gave him a much-needed sense of professional purpose after politics.

He says he developed a passion for the power of preventive medicine, which helped him improve his mental well-being before his successful return to federal politics in 2015.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 8, 2023.

The Canadian Press