ptsd

Anna Konrad rests on her family’s trampoline in the Sumas Prairie region of Abbotsford on a recent warm day. She has created a podcast documenting the post-traumatic stress kids like her are experiencing from the flooding in November 2021, and pressuring the government to keep the issue top of mind. (Submitted photo)

Young B.C. podcast creator opens dialogue on PTSD for flood-affected children

5-episode series tackles post-traumatic stress and urges politicians to keep issue top of mind

 

Col. Al De Genova is taking the Tour of Honour Humvee across B.C. and as far north as the Yukon Territory, raising awareness and money for Honour House and Honour Ranch. (Eric J. Welsh/ The Progress)

Tour of Honour supporting military, first responders kicks off in Chilliwack

The tour will raise awareness in places across B.C. and the Yukon for Honour House and Honour Ranch

 

Wounded Warriors runners arrive in Port Alberni during an awreness event on March 3, 2022. The organization offers support programs for veterans, first responders and their families. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Course aims to fill gap by training therapists on needs of veterans, first responders

Many front-line workers say the practices of conventional therapists aren’t working for them

 

About 17 per cent of British Columbians are currently experiencing a mental illness or substance use issue, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association. (File photo)

COLUMN: Breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness and PTSD

I always thought only those who were in a war had PTSD. I was wrong.

About 17 per cent of British Columbians are currently experiencing a mental illness or substance use issue, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association. (File photo)
A group of Canadian veterans headed to the mountains of Whistler Saturday (Aug. 27) for a hike drawing attention to chronic pain. (Black Press Media file photo)

Veterans seek adventure in Whistler to bring awareness to chronic pain

12 veterans helicoptered to Whistler peak Saturday (Aug. 27) for 7 km hike

  • Aug 29, 2022
A group of Canadian veterans headed to the mountains of Whistler Saturday (Aug. 27) for a hike drawing attention to chronic pain. (Black Press Media file photo)
A Chilliwack Military Education Centre tank crushing cars is scheduled to be on display at the Chilliwack Fair on all three days, Aug. 5, 6 and 7, 2022. (Chilliwack Fair Facebook)

OPINION: Chilliwack Fair’s display of tank crushing cars deemed ‘insensitive’ in light of Ukraine war

Chilliwack has a proud military history but military tanks shouldn’t be crushing civilian vehicles

A Chilliwack Military Education Centre tank crushing cars is scheduled to be on display at the Chilliwack Fair on all three days, Aug. 5, 6 and 7, 2022. (Chilliwack Fair Facebook)
Long-time B.C. paramedic Jeff Smith stands beside his former colleague Shelley O’Rourke. Smith has partnered up with health care professionals and first responders to launch a non-profit aimed at helping first responders who suffer from PTSD. (Submitted photo)

Paramedic with PTSD launches new mental health tool for first responders

Former B.C. paramedic Jeff Smith says the detachment technique saved his life

Long-time B.C. paramedic Jeff Smith stands beside his former colleague Shelley O’Rourke. Smith has partnered up with health care professionals and first responders to launch a non-profit aimed at helping first responders who suffer from PTSD. (Submitted photo)
Fireworks on Canada Day, Halloween, and New Year’s cause problems for some people, including veterans and dog owners, in Greater Victoria. (Contributed/ Lindsey Blane)

Sound, light, smell of fireworks trigger veteran’s PTSD

Veteran and pet owner both ‘not too keen’ fireworks

Fireworks on Canada Day, Halloween, and New Year’s cause problems for some people, including veterans and dog owners, in Greater Victoria. (Contributed/ Lindsey Blane)
Waldie is a certified service dog. He helps Don Watson go out in public after Watson was diagnosed with PTSD. (File contributed/ Don Watson)

Victoria veteran begs people to please not touch his service dog

Members of the public are often unaware of proper service dog etiquette

Waldie is a certified service dog. He helps Don Watson go out in public after Watson was diagnosed with PTSD. (File contributed/ Don Watson)
Brian Nadon and his dog, Ginger-Bella, just finished a 110-day journey across Canada to raise awarenss about PTSD for the Vatic Foundation. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Man and dog combo finish Canada-wide cycle for PTSD in Victoria

Brian Nadon and his dog, Ginger-Bella, run the Vatic Foundation to help those suffering from PTSD

Brian Nadon and his dog, Ginger-Bella, just finished a 110-day journey across Canada to raise awarenss about PTSD for the Vatic Foundation. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)
The Riding Barrage is a group of veterans, active military members and first responders riding across Canada to bring awareness to PTSD. Today, the group will finish their ride in Victoria after starting in Halifax on Aug. 6. In the photo, Rolling Barrage members take a stop during the 2017 ride. File contributed

Cross-crountry trip for PTSD service members wraps up in Victoria

The Rolling Barrage is raising awareness for PTSD and started their tour in Halifax on Aug. 6

The Riding Barrage is a group of veterans, active military members and first responders riding across Canada to bring awareness to PTSD. Today, the group will finish their ride in Victoria after starting in Halifax on Aug. 6. In the photo, Rolling Barrage members take a stop during the 2017 ride. File contributed
Patrick Vaillancourt knew he needed to talk about living with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression once he was diagnosed. (Photo by Madison Simpson)

Local resident inspires others battling PTSD with social media posts

Patrick Vaillancourt says living in Greater Victoria has improved his well-being

Patrick Vaillancourt knew he needed to talk about living with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression once he was diagnosed. (Photo by Madison Simpson)
Bystanders look on as paramedics and a civilian volunteer tend to a motorcyclist who was injured in a collision with a pickup truck in Port Alberni. (Alberni Valley News/file)

Front-line stress and trauma: are Island first responders prepared?

Big Read: Industry leaders call for more pre-incident training

Bystanders look on as paramedics and a civilian volunteer tend to a motorcyclist who was injured in a collision with a pickup truck in Port Alberni. (Alberni Valley News/file)
The candlelight ceremony Feb. 21 in memoriam of those soldiers lost to suicide, will also serve as a fundraiser for the host group, Honour Our Canadian Soldiers, whose goal is to have a plaque installed in each region of the country where a solider has been lost. Photo courtesy of Honour Our Canadian Soldiers

Soldiers of suicide to be remembered at Victoria candlelight ceremony

Honour Our Canadian Soliders host event to bring awareness to service-related PTSD

The candlelight ceremony Feb. 21 in memoriam of those soldiers lost to suicide, will also serve as a fundraiser for the host group, Honour Our Canadian Soldiers, whose goal is to have a plaque installed in each region of the country where a solider has been lost. Photo courtesy of Honour Our Canadian Soldiers
Military veteran and Wounded Warriors volunteer Stephane Marcotte poses with Sarge, his compassion dog, near the new Afghanistan memorial on Quadra Street. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS

Wounded Warriors tackle trauma in Greater Victoria

New group-based training program launched to aid those suffering from PTSD

Military veteran and Wounded Warriors volunteer Stephane Marcotte poses with Sarge, his compassion dog, near the new Afghanistan memorial on Quadra Street. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS