After spending 20 years as a firefighter on Prince Edward Island, Ernie Gallant is sharing his story with fire crews across the province to help others understand the impact of trauma.

Ernie Gallant reached a breaking point after 20 years as a volunteer firefighter in New Glasgow, P.E.I. In the summer of 2020, his body and mind suddenly felt overwhelmed, leaving him crying and unsure of what was happening. He was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which he believes was caused in part by the many traumatic events he experienced while fighting fires. One particular call in 2003 affected him so deeply that even turning left out of his driveway sometimes brings back painful memories.

Last year, Gallant started giving presentations titled “Left Turn” in firehalls across P.E.I. to help other firefighters who may be struggling. He shares his road to recovery and offers tips to help others cope with mental health struggles. Gallant believes that older firefighters can benefit greatly from talking about the traumatic experiences they have faced on the job. While younger firefighters now have access to mental health training, many older members never had the same support.

Through his presentations, Gallant hopes to encourage firefighters to speak openly about PTSD and emotional struggles. Although he is still recovering himself, he wants others to know they are not alone and should not hide what they are going through. His message is simple: speak up for yourself and ask for help when you need it.

Source: Joseph Watt, CBC