Stories of officer suicide have been reported nationally and incidents of violence and trauma happen frequently on the job. “It is something that we’re taking very seriously.” “I am going to say it is a big problem,” says RPS Chief Evan Bray. While those numbers aren’t based on actual diagnoses, Carleton says they nonetheless suggest the scope of the problem. Nicholas Carleton, who works with public safety personnel suffering from OSI and PTSD, says symptoms vary from person to person, but can include intrusive memories, disturbed sleep, nightmares, flashbacks, startle responses, irritability and persistent negative moods.Ĭurrent data on municipal and provincial police show 37 per cent screen positive for one or more mental health disorders, while around 50 per cent of RCMP members screen positive. PTSD - with which Fox was ultimately diagnosed - is one of a number of conditions that fall beneath the umbrella of operational stress injury (OSI). jpg The realities of operational stress injuries Derrick Fox with the canine unit and his partner Jack.

But it wasn’t until that panic attack in the parking lot - the moment he now understands as his breaking point - that Fox knew he needed help. He recognized the signs, in large part because he’d seen his father, a paramedic diagnosed with PTSD, go through the same thing. And if I caught myself driving near that area of town, I would have these feelings come back to the surface.” “Where this incident occurred, I subconsciously avoided that area of town. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

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