Sea to Sea for PTSD
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Sea to Sea for PTSD
Chad Kennedy, a former law enforcement officer, had always known that he was struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The signs were all too familiar, having witnessed his father go through the same ordeal. But nothing could prepare him for the night he hit rock bottom.
One night, overwhelmed with emotions and thoughts of self-destruction, Chad passed out. The next morning, he woke up to a surprise – he had gone on social media and pledged to walk across Canada to raise awareness for PTSD. Despite having no recollection of making the pledge, people were responding to him, and he knew he had to follow through on his promise.
“I was brought up in a business world, and I always believed that if you say you're going to do something, you do it,” says Chad. “And I had no idea how to do it. But we work through that and I've got an amazing team now that has helped me.”
Thus, the Sea to Sea for PTSD campaign was born. Chad and his team embarked on a journey to walk across Canada, starting from the west coast and ending in St. John's, Newfoundland. The campaign aims to raise awareness for PTSD and help people suffering from the disorder. The first leg of the campaign wrapped up last summer in Montreal. The second leg begins this June in Quebec City moving east.
Chad recently shared his story on The Safety Moment podcast. It’s a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of mental health awareness. Many first responders, such as police officers, firefighters and paramedics, often experience traumatic events in their line of work, leading to PTSD. Unfortunately, many of these individuals suffer in silence, afraid to speak up and seek help due to the stigma associated with mental health disorders.
Chad's journey has shed light on the importance of speaking up about PTSD and seeking help. It is okay not to be okay, and there is no shame in asking for help. The Sea to Sea for PTSD campaign has also helped to remove the stigma associated with mental health disorders and has inspired many people to share their stories and seek help.
The Sea to Sea for PTSD campaign is more than just a walk across Canada. It is a movement that has brought people together from all walks of life to raise awareness for mental health and provide support to those in need. The campaign has inspired people to take action and make a difference, one step at a time.
Chad's journey has not been easy. Walking across Canada is no small feat, and the physical and mental toll it takes cannot be underestimated. But Chad and his team have persevered, driven by their desire to make a difference and help those in need.
As Chad prepares to continue his journey this June, he does so with the knowledge that he is not alone. He has a team of supporters behind him, people who believe in his cause and are committed to making a difference.
“People have devoted so much time to the campaign, I think that everybody does as a volunteer group. Everybody has put 150% into this. My passport of directors and team did as well. And a lot of what we do is we collaborate with different groups across the country. So for example, when we step off in Quebec City, June 2, we've got veterans and police people and other mental health resources who are actually planning the step off campaign for us, help us raise some money, help with accommodations.”
Chad's story is a call to action, a reminder that we can all make a difference, no matter how big or small. Whether it is through supporting a friend, volunteering at a local mental health organization, or simply being kind to someone in need, we can all play a role in creating a more compassionate and understanding society.
Doug Downs – Stories and Strategies
