SASKATOON, Sask. — Thousands of participants took part in the Sept. 26-27 Step Up for Mental Health event in Saskatoon. But no one participated in full operational uniform, adding an additional 25 pounds of weight while running.
RCMP Cst. Andrew Giassa ran the 10k portion of the race in full uniform, swapping black duty boots for some bright colored running shoes.
Giassa says he has been participating in marathons since the early 2010s.
“I live locally here in Saskatoon and participated in Step Up in both 2023 and 2024, wearing my uniform in 2024. As police officers, we experience mental and emotional stress on a daily basis, both internally and through our interactions with the public, our partner agencies such as EMS and Fire, and our fellow co-workers,” says Const. Giassa.
The RCMP constable believes Step Up is a meaningful way to help raise awareness and show support for mental health within communities and the first-responder community.
Understandably, running with 25 pounds of added gear, Const. Giassa notes that running in this event was much more difficult, “Especially considering that I'm wearing a duty belt so things can bounce and such. Much harder than just wearing a weighted vest.”
Additionally, Giassa acknowledges that he doesn’t train in weighted gear, so, “It is certainly an interesting feeling and in my line of work, I usually only run for shorter distances in uniform, not 10-kilometre endurance runs.”
“Today, I feel that police officers are much more open to having these conversations and are more comfortable speaking about their mental health without fear of judgment from others.
“Being able to help promote awareness, encourage open conversations, and share this message means a great deal to me. I believe that creating an environment where members feel supported and comfortable reaching out for help is an important part of supporting the mental health and well-being of our policing community.”
Funds raised from the Step Up event directly support mental health initiatives in Saskatchewan.
“The more awareness we create and the more people we encourage to participate, the greater the support we can generate for mental health services and those who need them. Having participated in Step Up previously, I understand the importance of coming together as a community to support this cause and help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health,” adds Const. Giassa.
An 11-year veteran of the RCMP who has served in several different posts, Const. Giassa is now posted to the Warman/Martensville detachment.
Giassa says he runs on a daily basis, often training for a race.
“As a competitive runner, I have a significant amount of mileage to complete in order to reach my goals. Running requires commitment, discipline, consistency, and strong time-management skills, all of which have become important parts of my daily routine,” acknowledges the RCMP officer.
Giassa also adds, “Balancing training with the demands of work and home life has taught me the importance of having a structured plan and staying committed to it. As a police officer, there are going to be good days and difficult days — days that are longer than expected, physically demanding, or mentally stressful. I find that maintaining a structured routine helps keep me focused and provides me with a healthy and productive way to manage stress.”
Giassa acknowledges that the other runners, volunteers and spectators at Step Up were absolutely fantastic.
“There was such incredible energy and positivity throughout the entire event. It was inspiring to see so many people come together to support mental health and encourage one another.”
Through his experience, Giassa has learned everyone has their own reason and connection to the cause, and hearing those stories really highlighted how important mental health awareness and support are to so many people.
