B.C man crosses borders for mental health awareness

By: Haven Thibert

A Delta, B.C. man is passing through Cranbrook this week as part of his cross-country trek to raise awareness about mental health and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).

Rakesh Kumar, 31, who was born in Punjab, India, started his walk on June 1 and plans to reach the end of his journey by mid-October. He said he launched the journey to raise awareness for BPD, a condition he lives with and was diagnosed with in 2023.

“I struggled for years without realizing I had BPD,” said Kumar. “By the time I found out, my life was already a mess.”

According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), BPD is a mental illness marked by an ongoing pattern of varying moods, self-image and behaviour. Symptoms often include emotional instability, intense interpersonal relationships, fear of abandonment and impulsive actions. CAMH says people with BPD may face stigma and misunderstanding, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.

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Kumar said peer support groups through the B.C. Schizophrenia Society helped him begin recovery. He also turned to mindfulness and meditation, and found inspiration in the travels of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh guru.

“I wanted to do something similar, to walk and raise awareness, especially for those who feel invisible,” he said.

Kumar walks 35 to 40 kilometres each day. He eats simple meals like porridge and dry fruits and sleeps in a tent or in shelters.

“Some days I feel strong. Some days I feel really tired and broken,” he said. “I just take it one day at a time.”

He said people across the country have supported him with food, shelter, water and money.

“I’ve encountered kindness from the first day,” said Kumar. “I feel like I’m not the one who is moving, it’s the people who are moving me.”

He said he isn’t asking for money but welcomes help with food or shelter. He added that the most meaningful support is raising awareness of BPD and mental health.

Kumar shares updates on his journey on Instagram at @healingwitheverystep (https://www.instagram.com/healingwitheverystep).