A Firefighter's Battle with PTSD: Rob Leathen's Story of Resilience
The culture is changing, there's still some of it there. But, yeah, it's nice to see that the mental health and the realities of the job of a first responder is becoming more accepted as part of the career.
Imagine charging into a blazing inferno, not once, but countless times over a 30-year career. This is the life of firefighter Rob Leathen, who has bravely faced not only the physical dangers of his job but also the emotional toll it takes. In this episode of 'Life Unscripted', host Janice Arnoldi sits down with Rob to talk about his struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Rob opens up about the relentless memories and constant state of alertness that have haunted him throughout his career. He shares his personal journey towards healing and the steps he's taking to manage his PTSD. But Rob's story doesn't end with his own battles. He's also a passionate advocate for mental health, working with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to promote groundbreaking research into mental illness.
The conversation delves into the evolving attitudes towards mental health among first responders and the critical need for support systems within this community. Rob's insights shed light on the importance of addressing mental health issues head-on and the potential for research to pave the way for better prevention and treatment. This episode is a compelling look at one man's resilience and the broader fight against the stigma surrounding mental health in high-stress professions.