Living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can be crippling and isolating.
But a program recently launched in Perth is helping change that and is proving so popular facilitators hope to run cohorts for women only, fire fighters, paramedics and correctional officers.
Project Trauma Support is based off of the Sparta Project in the United States. The first cohort ran in May and was led by Sparta facilitators at the Tay River Reflections Medical Spa in Perth.
Ottawa Police Const. Andy Hammond was part of that cohort.
"It completely changed the way I look at my injury - I call it an injury, although it's Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, it's actually an injury to your brain," said Hammond, who months ago had difficulty leaving his home. "It's given me a different way of viewing the injury and also my new normal and what is that going to look like. And the fact that the story is still unfolding regarding my life, as opposed to when you are ill, it's very hard to see a future."
The treatment focuses on peer support, as well as addressing the psychological, physical and moral injury components of PTSD.
"The help was amazing, absolutely amazing," said Hammond.
"It's very much a different journey to a regular sort of counselling treatment," added Hammond. "You do things like equine therapy, you're on the high ropes. There's various other ways, like with meditation. It's non-denominational. It's not religious, but it does talk about a higher power and linking into that and finding your own peace. It's pretty powerful and seeing the faces of people who arrived very shaky like myself, five and a half days later you can see the weight lifted off people."
Hammond is recommending the program for any first responder battling PTSD, especially those living in isolation.
"Make the step," he said. "Suffering in silence, there's no need anymore. There's help there. It's confidential. There truly is no reason to end up in the situation I'm in. Speak up early and get the help you need."
Project Trauma Support has been receiving interest from across the country and hopes to expand across the country.
"This would increase timely access and also over time provide a solid number of peer supporters with similar knowledge, tools and wisdom across Canada," said Manuela Joannou, the medical director of Project Trauma Support. "This in itself will go a long way to reduce stigma, provide cost effective, timely and valuable relief to those suffering from post traumatic stress and operational stress injuries."
A fundraising event is being held in Smiths Falls on September 10th. The free Family Fun Day will be held from 11 A.M. until 6 P.M. at the Gallipeau Centre that day. All proceeds will be donated to Project Trauma Support.