Correctional Officers & First Responders - You are Not Alone

This page developed unfortunately out of a “need” that wasn’t being addressed. I have over 20 years as a Correctional officer all in Maximum Security Institution. It has taken a huge toll on my life and has left me with the diagnosis of “Severe PTSD”.
I felt alone, I could talk to my doctors and my wife, but the people I work for basically shunned me, and the people I work with everyday did the same. Mental health problems are unfortunately seen as a sign of weakness in law enforcement and emergency services, and due to lack of education, most managers and fellow employees do not know how to treat people who have come forward to get help.
Whenever I run into someone from work, I feel that they want to be wearing a bio-hazard suit! They don’t want to catch what I have!!!
This kind of thinking makes it even harder for an employee to return to work. Not only are they battling PTSD, they have to battle staff who have lost all confidence in them, and managers who will never consider them for promotion. It is a hostile environment for anybody to return to work, knowing your peers will never look you at the same or your superiors will never consider you for any promotion. Because you GOT HELP!!!

That backward thinking has far too many suffering in silence because they don’t want to END their careers by seeking the help they need.

This page is a collaboration of several pages, websites, health organizations and most of all People who want to bring attention to ALL People in Uniform, (with the emphasis of this page on Correctional Officers and Emergency Services). ONLY because it is a group of people who suffer rates of mental health issues including PTSD at alarming rates, usually in silence due to the “Tough Guy Code”!! We are based in Canada, but anybody in North America will find links on this page. Stay Safe!