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Firefighter's PTSD: 'Left Turn' Triggers Trauma
11 Oct
Summary
- Volunteer firefighter Ernie Gallant was diagnosed with PTSD after 20 years of service.
- He now presents 'Left Turn' talks to help other firefighters cope with trauma.
- Younger generations are more open about mental health than older men.
Ernie Gallant, after 20 years as a volunteer firefighter in New Glasgow, P.E.I., experienced a severe breakdown in the summer of 2020, leading to a PTSD diagnosis. A specific traumatic fire call in 2003, requiring a left turn from his driveway, became a persistent trigger.
Gallant has since launched 'Left Turn' presentations across P.E.I. firehalls, aiming to foster open discussion about mental health among firefighters. He observes that older firefighters often lack support systems, unlike the past where alcohol was a common, albeit unhealthy, coping mechanism.
Social worker Jayoda Tennekone notes that younger individuals, particularly men, are increasingly open about mental health, making up 80% of his caseload. He attributes this to a societal normalization of such discussions, contrasting with older expectations of stoicism and emotional suppression.
Tennekone emphasizes the need for safe, non-judgmental spaces to help men unlearn these traditional stereotypes and embrace vulnerability. Gallant's presentations serve this purpose by leading by example, encouraging those struggling to advocate for themselves and avoid hiding their experiences.
