They rush towards situations that most people avoid—gunfire, flames, and horrific events.
For Canada’s first responders, facing the unimaginable is part of their duty. However, what often goes unnoticed is the burden they carry long after the emergency is over.
“They inquire, ‘Are you alright?’” shares retired RCMP officer Jonathan Williams. “And I’d always respond, ‘Of course, I’m fine.’ Because what I had just dealt with was much worse.”
Williams dedicated 14 years to the RCMP. He considers his service significant, but he couldn’t ignore the increasing emotional toll hiding behind the uniform.
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“For years, I witnessed an overwhelming amount of trauma,” he recounts. “It’s not normal, but you adapt. Eventually, it began to wear on me.”
This led to struggles with depression and PTSD—hidden injuries that ultimately pushed him to seek assistance.
“The recovery program was crucial,” Williams states. “It helped me find safety—both physically and mentally.”
This program is managed by Diversified Rehabilitation Group, based in Kelowna, which provides tailored support for first responders exposed to trauma. They are currently leading an online awareness initiative called Sounding the Alarm to highlight the silent suffering many endure.
“We are engaging through social media during our 31-day campaign,” explains Derek Sienko, chief mental health officer at Diversified. “When individuals reach out to us, they’re often emotionally exhausted. They’re not accustomed to sharing their feelings because they’ve been trained not to.”
However, remaining silent can have dire consequences.
“When trauma is left untreated,” Sienko emphasizes, “the outcomes can be devastating. We can lose them—in numerous ways, including suicide. There’s not a doubt in my mind that all of this is preventable.”
“If we can save lives, we must do it.”
Additional details about the campaign are available online.
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