“Find your lonely road and follow it…follow it through everything to the end of the road and then let go of that road…put it behind you…”
In the past three years, 50 recognized Canadian Forces veterans have committed suicide directly related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of their tours in Afghanistan. Put into perspective, there were 158 Canadian Soldiers killed in combat in Afghanistan over the 12 year campaign. If the current rate of suicides continues, then 200 Veterans of the Afghanistan war will die by their own hand in Canada in the same time frame.
PTSD has been wounding people in the Canadian Forces, and veterans, for some time—but it seems to be taking an ever-increasing toll as Canadian veterans die by suicide and family members raise questions about the supports needed but not offered or available.
Three veterans who served Canada in the Former Yugoslavia in 1992 and 1993—Steve Hartwig, Jason McKenzie, and Scott McIntyre McFarlane—are now focused on changing the perceptions and stigmas associated with PTSD. They’re marching across Canada to raise awareness and share a positive message about PTSD. On June 23, 2014, 2014 Steve left Victoria and he’s marching 32 kilometers every day, interspersed with driving and one rest day per week. Jason and Scott trade off marching with Steve and drive the support vehicle. At the end of each day a cross ceremony is held to pay tribute to the PTSD fallen.
Brandon University professor Phillip Goernert says it’s not just military personnel or first responders who live with the disorder. He says about 10 per cent of all Canadians actually struggle with PTSD. “Anyone who is exposed to something traumatic has the potential for unwanted negative memories to keep coming back, and then become problematic to deal with,” said Goernert. “It becomes really problematic for a person with that diagnosis to stop thinking about bad things they’ve experienced.” —The Province, July 18, 2014
The three veterans’ campaign is called Into No Man’s Land, and it’s attracting considerable support and media attention. The retired soldiers have also met many others—including police, fire fighters, and other first responders—who have shared their suffering with PTSD. The march will end in Saint John’s, Newfoundland.
Find your lonely road and follow it… Follow it through everything to the end of the road and then let go of that road; put it behind you. Do it with an open heart, patience and a kindness to yourself that you may have never known. Seek acceptance and forgiveness for yourself and those around you. Have the courage to take just one more step… –Into No Man’s Land (website)
Jason McKenzie’s story
Jason McKenzie is a Canadian Forces veteran who served with CanBat 1 in the Former Yugoslavia in 1992 and 1993. After being honourably released from the military in 1994 Jason was diagnosed with PTSD. The atrocities of the Yugoslavian war coupled with the perils and life threatening incidents Jason faced on his tour were not properly addressed upon his return to Canada and as a result these stresses left unchecked developed into the injury he battles to this day. Jason’s decorations include the United Nations UNPROFOR Medal, Canadian Peace Keeping Service Medal and the 125th Confederation of Canada Medal.
As a civilian Jason continued to serve Canada with careers in both the Canadian Coast Guard and as a civilian administrator with the RCMP. Today Jason runs his own construction company and has settled in Saskatchewan with his three beautiful and healthy children.
Jason and Steve have been friends since their first days in basic training and on through Battle School and together on their United Nations tour in the Former Yugoslavia. The experiences they went through together have bonded them for life and this march is a testament to that.
We speak with Jason McKenzie.
into no man’s land march
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