by Morinville News Staff
Albertans are invited to join Speaker Robert E. Wanner for the launch of PTSD Awareness Day in Alberta on June 27 at 10:30 a.m. in the Legislature rotunda.
The inaugural event will include remarks by Members of Alberta’s Legislative Assembly and community members who have been affected by PTSD. A presentation of the PTSD Awareness Day ribbon and a short reception with light refreshments will follow the speeches.
“Life-changing trauma can begin suddenly and may only last a matter of seconds, but Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can disrupt a person’s life indefinitely. This serious disorder has afflicted thousands of Albertans,” said Honourable Robert E. Wanner, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in a release Thursday. “Creating awareness of PTSD paves the way towards understanding and the elimination of the stigma around this mental illness.”
PTSD can develop after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic or terrifying event. Military personnel, first responders (police, firefighters and paramedics), doctors and nurses are at a greater risk than those in other professions. According to the PTSD Association of Canada, an estimated 8 per cent of Canadians will suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives.
Bill 206, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day Act came into force June 13 and was a Private Member’s bill sponsored by Edmonton-Castle Downs MLA Nicole Goehring.
