For the past year, many healthcare workers, veterans, and frontline heroes have been struggling to find their footing.
First responders are more than four times as likely to experience mental illness and addiction than the general population, and the demand for mental health support is growing.
Since the onset of the pandemic, the number of help-seeking first responders has increased dramatically for groundbreaking treatment program Landing Strong.
Referals to the Windsor, Nova Scotia based program are more than 20 times what they've been in past years.
An average week has gone from two to three referrals to a staggering three to seven referrals per day.
There are many reasons for the increase in demand and Leah F. understands why.
Ten years ago Landing Strong was there when her life took a devastating turn.
Her 18-year-old daughter, Katelynne, had just graduated from high school with plans to study sign language, when she suddenly became unwell. She was rushed to emergency and passed away shortly after due to a blood clot that travelled to her brain.
“It devastated our family. It changed everything. Katelynne’s two brothers were 14 and 16 at the time. It was such an unnatural thing.”
It took Leah almost two years to get back on her feet after losing Katelynne. As a Mental Health & Addictions Nurse, she was used to diagnosing others, not herself.
“Katelynne’s death changed my tolerance level. It impacted my ability to focus.”
Leah eventually went back to work and was managing well. She experienced a couple bouts of difficulty, specifically around Katelynne’s birthday and what she lovingly refers to as her daughter’s heaven day. But eventually, the environment in her hospital unit became too much.
“A lot changed while I was away from work. I started to experience anxiety with physical manifestations. I wasn’t sleeping and I was struggling.”
That’s when Leah started working with Landing Strong - a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting resilience and assisting recovery from PTSD and Operational Stress Injuries. Located in rural Nova Scotia, it offers intensive treatment and weekly support groups. The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is a proud funder.
“It’s an environment where everybody is on the same level and is experiencing the same thing. The groups work very well because when someone else says something, you can relate.”
Leah has participated in three intensive group programs. She found the five-week Emotions Group especially helpful.
“I learned how to recognize my emotions and de-escalate. There’s no judgment and no advice. Everyone holds space for everyone else. I got so much out of it and it even opened-up conversations with my family as well.”
Leah says Landing Strong is teaching her to be gentler with herself. It’s making her much more empathetic and showing her everyone has their own difficult path.
“I look forward to the next meeting all week. And not just the good stuff, but the crappy stuff too. When you live with PTSD you tend to feel very alone. You suffer in silence.”
Leah recognizes her healing will take time, but feels Landing Strong is moving her in the right direction. Her memories of Katelynne also provide her comfort.
“I know many parents say it, but Katelynne truly lit up a room. She promoted mental health and inclusion at her school and worked as a camp counsellor at a day camp in the summer. She loved children, and they really loved her.”
You can help first responders like Leah stay on the path to recovery. Donate today to support the groundbreaking intensive treatment program at Landing Strong.