Campaign sheds light on first responders with PTSD

A cross-Canada campaign launched on Thursday is aiming to raise awareness of first responders coping with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The condition affects at least 16-24 per cent of police, firefighters, paramedics and members of the military who deal with trauma and tragedy as part of their jobs.

York paramedic Annette Hunter and York Regional Police Const. Jon Carson struggled in silence for five years before being diagnosed with PTSD.

The pair met when they responded to a home in January of 2009. The call initially came across as a miscarriage and they weren’t prepared for what they saw next — an actual baby with no vital signs.

“My partner and I went into the bathroom and we found this nearly full-term baby in the toilet. She had been born feet first,” Hunter said.

“We found out later that the dispatcher had asked the grandmother to pull the baby out and do CPR but she refused.”

Despite Carson and Hunter’s efforts to revive her, the baby girl was pronounced dead in hospital.

The incident triggered the PTSD they suffer with today and their story is one of many that has inspired the Heroes Are Human cross-country tour.

“It’s a grassroots tour to bring awareness to the psychological stressors of post-traumatic stress and suicide,” said Vince Savoia, Founder of Tema Conter Memorial Trust.

“Suicide is a very permanent solution to a temporary problem and it can be resolved.”

The tour will offer free seminars to help those with PTSD feel more comfortable with reaching out for help and realizing they aren’t alone in the struggle.

“[It’s an] unbelievable support and unbelievable organization that allows people like us to be able to come out and share our story with you so people can put a human face to the person they see in uniform,” Carson said.

The Heroes Are Human tour starts on May 5 in Newfoundland and will make 48 stops across the country before it wraps up on July 18 in Toronto.

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