After reading this story, attending fundraisers and awareness events, most of us get to go home and think of something else other than mental health.
For others, it is an everyday battle and Natalie Harris for one is ready to fight loudly on every platform.
Harris is getting ready for the launch of her book, Save My Life School: A First Responder’s Mental Health Journey which is being released Wednesday Jan. 25. The book is the story of the how Harris has battled with depression, anxiety and addiction for years. Working in her chosen field of being a first responder and paramedic for 12 years only worsened the problems.
“The job of Paramedic is a hard one for anyone, but some it gets worse the longer you do it and the more you see,” said Harris. “You’re forced to deal with things that the human mind and body isn’t supposed to deal with; and for some it can out you over an edge.”
Harris’s edge-moment came on May 12, 2012, while responding to a double homicide at a Barrie motel. Seeing two women dead with their head’s partially severed triggered something in Harris, but she soldiered on.
The suspect in the killing was her patient and she had to tend to him despite dealing with a range of emotions. The trial was delayed for two years and in that time, Harris was spiraling out of control with night terrors and alcoholism. On the day of the trial, Harris saw the man charged walk into the courtroom and it triggered something in her that would change her.
“Seeing him hit me hard and I immediately had a feeling of being outside my own body and watching everything,” said Harris. “The drinking got worse, the fears got worse and one day I decided to take my own life. Despite going through with the attempt, thankfully, it was unsuccessful and my life has been refocused in helping others in another way.”
Harris attended rehab at Homewood Health Centre for her addiction and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)/ Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) and did something else that would change her life and that of those who were listening-Harris started talking.
The 39-year-old mother of two started a blog and became vocal about her journey on social media. Harris started realizing that she was connecting to people who not only needed help, but wanted to help.
“You kind of fall into a trap of shutting yourself away, maybe stay in your room and not let the outside world come near you,” said Harris. “But I was communicating with so many people and could see the effect it was having on them and me. Talking it out was the best therapy and through it I’ve been able to continue my passion of helping people.
Seeing how active Harris was on social media and her community, a Bell Let’s Talk team leader reached out to her and asked if she could help spread the word of the massive online awareness campaign.
Bell Let’s Talk takes place this year on January 25 (the same day as Harris’ book launch) and is an initiative for all of Canada to see the importance of speaking out about mental health issues. Launched in 2010, Bell Let’s Talk Day is where Bell will count every text, call, tweet, Instagram post, Facebook share and Snapchat geofilter and match it by five cents. Last year they set a record by raising $6,295,764.75 on 125,915,295 interactions. Bell and Harris are hoping to top that this year and add to approximately $298,680,322 raised since the program’s inception.
"Just over two years ago I saw Olympic medalist Clara Hughes talking about it and was inspired,” said Harris. “Here was this successful woman, so known for her beaming smile, talking about being depressed and dealing with it every day. Since then, Clara and I have become close because of the battle we’re both fighting and she is a pillar of strength for me and I’m honoured to have her provide the foreword to my book.”
The book isn’t just going to hit shelves without the author doing some talking.
Harris is readying for a tour that will include her hometown of Barrie, Ottawa and several colleges and universities. The Barrie book signings will be Saturday, Feb. 4, at the south end Chapters from 1 to 4 p.m.
Harris enjoys speaking to folks and helping, as she admits it’s in her paramedic nature. These meet and greet signings are likely as beneficial to Harris as they may be to others.
“I’m excited to get out and meet people who want to read my book,” said Harris. “If they’re reading it they likely need help. I’m still needing help, it doesn’t ever just go away and talking more and more is helping. I still deal with a bit of anxiety and have triggers that I have to minimize as best I can. I wear special earplugs as some sudden noises will get to me and recently got a therapy dog to help with stress levels and creating personal space while I’m out, but every day is better and better. Helping and talking make it better.”
For more information on Bell Let’s Talk, check the website here.
If you are a first responder, military member, corrections officer, communications officer, or healthcare provider, be it professional or volunteer, who would like to participate in anonymous, solution-based discussion and education regarding any occupational trauma, check out Wings Of Change on Facebook at @wingsofchangepeersupport
If you need help, contact www.kidshelpphone.ca , www.cmha.ca or for immediate assistance call 911.
