Mark Isfeld died in Croatia in 1994.  His memory lives on with more than 1.5 million "Izzy Dolls" distributed to children in war zones. 

Chris was a close friend of Mark Isfeld, and he shares the story of the Izzy Dolls. 

This was a tough one for me to do, because I was one of the people where were present when Mark Isfeld died. 

https://www.warmuseum.ca/learn/izzy-doll/ 

#izzydolls

#http://izzydoll.ca/?fbclid=IwAR2A94bUBINklCrk3Q28seZveu21WLkA7PI2DaDMSeJu8mcOGF-tru_0MbM

https://www.facebook.com/izzydolls

Cognitive Dissonance is a natural response to uncomfortable information. It is a protection mechanism for the mind that rejects information that it deems to be a threat. 

The information can be rejected by automatically contradicting it or by unconsciously replacing it with comfortable information.

Sometimes that information is uncomfortable because it is contradictory to our belief system, and sometimes because the information is morally abhorrent.  

To fully understand #cognitivedissonance , it helps to understand Graham's' Hierarchy of arguments. The lower you are on the chart...the stronger the cognitive dissonance.   The higher you are on the chart...the more free you are of cognitive dissonance. 

#thegreatawakening

#cognitivedissonance

#criticalthinking 

John Brassard, MP for Barrie-Innisfil, and former Shadow Minister of Veterans Affairs. 

https://www.seatoseaforptsd.ca/  

On April 2, 2022 Chad Kennedy will be stepping off from the Pacific Ocean (Vancouver) and walking our away across Canada to the Atlantic Ocean (St. John's) to raise awareness of PTSD.

Our goals are to promote Mental Wellness amongst First Responders, Military Personnel, and their families,

Terry Kelly's "A Pittance of Time"

"Why We Remember"

Just hit "play" to ad this to your own personal Remembrance Day Ceremony.

This work is published with the permission of Terry Kelly. 

https://asm-foundation.com

Pete DePrez

PTSD is an injury, not an illness. It is curable if we treat it as such. For over sixty years our medical community has approached PTSD with SSRI’s (anti-depressants), which are virtual cortisone shots for our brains. SSRI’s do not address causation of injury, nor do they address legitimate healing. So, a person diagnosed with PTSD will likely be relegated to a lifetime of SSRI’s and talk therapy.

We have teamed with Dr. Mark L. Gordon to provide life changing treatment to get our veterans and first responders back to living the life they had before suffering their trauma. We also support a number of other methods. The reality is that this isn’t a quick fix; sort of like any injury. It can take 1-2 months to truly feel the benefits of hormone therapy. MeRT, ketamine, MDMA and other treatment methods should be combined to ensure the best results for each individual. ASM will work with each of our clients individually to determine what their needs are.

If you are a veteran or first responder in need of help, please reach out to us. If you are a family member who is seeking assistance or information, please reach out. If you are a citizen willing to donate, please do so on the donations page.

Our warriors deserve peace of mind, if nothing else. None of us ever want to be out of the fight. This is how we stay in it.

Pete DePrez Co-Founder

Peer Support has been clinically proven to be a powerful tool for PTSD prevention and Recovery. 

https://www.n2nps.com/

There is magic in numbers. Our nurse to nurse peer support circles are led by trained N2NPS facilitators who use a trauma-informed approach.

Founder and CEO

Over the last 15 years, I have focused my nursing career in the harm reduction field and caring for individuals challenged by Concurrent Disorders. I also have lived experiences, which support my ways of knowing. I have compassionately cared for both my patients' traumas and my own work related PTSD.

In order for nurses to provide safe and holistic care, we need adequate supports from the government, insurance agencies, employers, regulatory bodies, unions and peers in order to create psychologically safe workplaces.

As a Harm Reduction Nurse, I believe it is essential for us all to understand and care for people with mental health and substance use challenges in such a way to reduces stigma and discrimination. Storytelling is powerful in changing the negative climate surrounding many health conditions and disabilities.

Co-founder and Peer Support Director

Having worked as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse for over 10 years and experiencing my own mental health challenges and a psycho-spiritual crisis, I have learned that the healing journey often thrives in a holistic lens. My practice is focused on incorporating shamanic practices, plant integration medicine, and alternative healing modalities in the care of others.

​

I have found a passion for teaching, creating safe spaces for others, and diving into topics on consciousness and wellness. Coming from a place of self-compassion and acceptance can open many doors of possibility in life. I am a proponent of self-care as one way to better manage a life that can seem chaotic and stressful.

My hope for nurses is that they may wake up to their potential to dream the reality that sparks them.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/oppapittanceoftime 

Terry Kelly is a Canadian Musician, singer / Songwriter who created the Canadian Classic, "A PIttance of Time".   

You can also find him at http://terry-kelly.com/ 

Terry is available as a Keynote Speaker, and musician for hire. 

Genevieve Boudreault

https://cfir.ca/

https://cfir.ca/about/toronto-team/genevieve-boudreault-psy-d/ 

The path that leads to seeking therapy is not an easy one. Life can be difficult. Sometimes, the reason is obvious, but other times our own behaviour is a mystery. We can face depression, anxiety, difficulties in relationships, lack of self-esteem, or face traumatic events. At times, individual help is required and other times it is help with our relationships that is needed. I also can provide therapeutic services in French or English.

A career in public safety is unlike any other. Police officers, firefighters, military personal and paramedics wake up each morning with the noble mission of keeping communities safe often risking their own lives to protect others. While these professions can be exceptionally rewarding, these people are regularly exposed to traumatic situations.

If you are a first responder or military personal affected by trauma, it can seem difficult to come forward because of the stigma associated to ask for help. Be assured that everything is completely confidential. But trying to ignore what you’re going through only increases your stress and allows the problem to become worst and tougher to treat. Specialized, confidential treatment for first responders does exist.

Addressing traumatic memories has typically required a longer-term therapy, which can be difficult to endure for some first line responders and military personnel who may be seeking quicker solutions to alleviate their distress, particularly those who wish for a quick return to work. I practice Reconsolidation Therapy; a ground breaking approach that can help you get rid of your symptoms in 6 sessions.