THUNDER BAY - First responders can experience traumatic events on a daily basis that can lead to severe mental and emotional stress. What was once something expected to be shrugged off, more and more people are speaking out about the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder in the hopes of ending the stigma.
On Saturday, United by Trauma hosted its second annual I Run and Rock event in Thunder Bay. The daylong event included a 5K or 10K race or a 5K fun walk around Boulevard Lake, as well as vendors, food, and a concert including the band, Harlequin.
Michael Lundy, chair of the Thunder Bay organizing committee for I Run and Rock, works as a prison guard at the Thunder Bay District Jail and he said he has seen many of his coworkers suffering from PTSD, which is why he wanted to bring the run to the community.
“We realized that anybody in our community can be suffering from PTSD any day,” he said. “That’s really what we are trying to get out there. I come from a first responder background, but I realize that PTSD can affect anybody on any day.”
Last year, the event brought out more than 300 people in the rain. With sunny skies on Saturday, Lundy expects that number to be more than 400 this year, which will go a long way in supporting people with PTSD.
“All the money raised we put towards PTSD awareness, resources, and research,” he said. “One of our biggest resources is our PTSD service dogs through United by Trauma.”
There is still a stigma attached to mental health and PTSD in the workplace, Lundy said, especially for first responders.
“I don’t know why the stigma is attached,” he said. “I think it comes from the old school way of thinking in a lot of first responder organizations where you just suck it up and go back to it the next day, but too many suffer in silence and it’s got to come to the forefront.”
Tegan Fletcher and Daryl Parfenyuk, paramedics with Ornge, have seen how PTSD affects everyone, from those on the job to the people they help.
“Within my coworkers and within patients that we treat, you see the effects of it ripple through in everybody, it’s not just something that affects first responders,” Fletcher said.
Both Fletcher and Parfenyuk were participating in the I Run and Rock event for the first time, tackling the course wearing their paramedic jumpsuits.
“We just wanted to bring awareness that we are part of the first responder community in Thunder Bay,” Parfenyuk said. “We wanted to support our other first responders here today, too. We work as a team.”
Fletcher added that PTSD is like any other illness but is often not seen that way and there is still a long way to go when it comes to properly treating mental illness and PTSD.
“We are pushing people to make PTSD a big deal and take it seriously,” Parfenyuk added. “It’s not the old boys club anymore where you just suck it up and move on. People are actually sick and should be treated just like any other illness.”
Harlequin is expected to hit the stage at Boulevard Lake at 4:30 Saturday afternoon. Tickets are $30 at the gate.
