- Patrick Swan’s Story – Constable, Waterloo Regional Police
In December 2008, I had reached the point where I couldn’t continue anymore. I had been struggling with my mental health for over 10 years, eventually diagnosed with PTSD and …
- Karen Hodge’s Story – Sergeant, York Regional Police
As a police officer of almost twenty-three years, I am used to stress. I have always had coping mechanisms and support systems in place to deal with whatever the job …
- John Stapleford’s Story – Training Officer, Halton Regional Police
My name is John. I am currently a member of the Halton Regional Police Service and have been for 15 years. I began my career working as a Patrol Officer …
- Jason Bonikowsky’s Story – Sergeant, Waterloo Regional Police
I had been a Police Officer for close to 17 years when my life would change in the blink of an eye one day in October 2017. I had spent …
- Mike Fillmore’s Story – Records Support, Peterborough Police
October 1, 2016 was the day my world changed forever. I woke up with extreme stomach pains, the pains remained and took approximately 2 weeks to subside. I remember the …
- Mark Wright’s Story – Detective, Hamilton Police
Telling this story to people has never been an easy task. Sharing with a bunch of police officers is more difficult. We do this job and have our own experiences. …
- Brad Traves’ Story – Constable, Barrie Police
When asked to write about my journey for the PAO’s Mental Health initiative, I was not certain just how to talk about something that was always taboo in the policing …
- Joseph Styles’ Story – Detective, York Regional Police
My name is Joe Styles. I am a Detective with the York Regional Police. I come from a family of people who support and are devoted to law enforcement and …
- Kimberley Hardy’s Story – Communicator, Waterloo Regional Police
My career as a Dispatcher began with the Waterloo Regional Police Service in February 1998. I felt I had finally found the job that was perfect for me. I didn’t …
- Ismet Brahimir’s Story – Sergeant, Halton Regional Police
23 years ago, my lifelong dream was fulfilled when I became a police officer. My life was perfect, or so it seemed. My first day on the road was filled …
- Ed Jermol’s Story – Sergeant, Waterloo Regional Police Service
I always thought it was something that only happened to soldiers. I never thought it could happen to me. Until it did. In 2016, I was diagnosed with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSD). Like …
- Deb Nelson’s Story – 911 Dispatcher, London Police Service
You don’t think too much about your future physical and mental health when you join a police service in your 20’s, at least I sure didn’t. I was full of …
- Shannon Tennant’s Story – Sergeant, Windsor Police Service; Director, Windsor Police Association
Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) is a reaction for someone who has not yet been clinically assessed as having PTSD. While there is considerable overlapping of symptoms of the two conditions, there …
- Garth Faubert’s Story – Constable, Ottawa Police Service
My experience with mental health is not unique or exclusive. Most of my colleagues have experienced some form of occupational frustration during their career. Where I made my mistakes was …
- Erin Lehman’s Story – Detective, Ottawa Police Service
The policing profession is filled with strong, stubborn and A-type personalities that are all trained and have a desire to solve problems. We have a very hard time accepting help …
- Philip Yake’s Story – Constable, Peel Regional Police Service
Six years after I witnessed a major event, I realized that I needed help. I saw a mother throw her young daughter out of a moving vehicle on the highway. …
- Mary Bonenfant’s Story – Dispatcher, North Bay Police Service
When people call 911 they generally aren’t calling to say hello. The nature of our job is to jump right in when someone needs help. That often means being surrounded …
- Andrew Leng’s Story – Constable, Hamilton Police Service
In May 2016, my world came to an end. I ran out of rope. The adverse effects of 20 years’ worth of cumulative trauma from work and trying to mask …
