Local first responders have an opportunity to hear about PTSD and other challenges they face at the Invisible Wounds Conference.
It's being held on Wednesday, October 24 at the Best Western Plus in Walkerton.
"The conference is not just about PTSD, although that is something that is talked about and identified with. At this point in time, there are other things that are important for first responders and that is prevention developing resiliency skills, peer support and learning from those who have experience," said Deborah MacDonald, an independent mental health professional and RPN, who is one of the organizers of the conference.
The keynote speakers will discuss a wide variety of topics including destigmatizing PTSD and the journey of accepting the new reality and healing after the trauma.
"Some of the symptoms that they can experience is problems with sleep with anxiety with hypervigilance with flashbacks and they really need to be seen by a psychologist or a psychiatrist who can assist with the diagnoses," said MacDonald.
Guest speakers include Andy MacDonald, who is a retired fire chief, Nick Halmsey, who is a psychotherapist and former firefighter, Anne Pickering, who is a survivor of a house fire and is now a social worker, Michael Clark, an Anglican Priest, and Sergeant Beth Millard, who is with the York Regional Police Service.