Nine Paramedics Dead: A Raw Look at PTSD, Burnout, and the Crisis Facing First Responders in Canada

In 2025 alone, nine paramedics in British Columbia have died by suicide. In this powerful and deeply personal episode, former Canadian Armed Forces and civilian paramedic Matthew Heneghan shares his lived experience with PTSD, addiction, and burnout after nearly 17 years on the frontlines.

This is more than just a mental health story — it’s a direct look at the systemic failures within Canada’s healthcare and emergency response systems that are leaving first responders without support.

🔥 Topics Covered:

Paramedic mental health crisis in British Columbia

PTSD and trauma from frontline medical work

The truth behind safe injection sites and overdose response

Suicide prevention in emergency services

Firsthand account of burnout, addiction, and recovery

💬 If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t wait — speak up, reach out.
📢 Share this story to raise awareness and demand action for Canada’s first responders.

#PTSD #ParamedicMentalHealth #FirstResponders #CanadianHealthcare #SuicideAwareness #FrontlineBurnout #AddictionRecovery #BCParamedics #EmergencyServices #MatthewHeneghan #AMedicsMind

📚 Love what you heard? There’s more.
I’m Matthew Heneghan — a former military and civilian medic, now a sober writer sharing raw stories about trauma, grief, addiction, and healing.
🎙 Listen to the full podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hmuMof...
📰 Subscribe to my newsletter for reflections I don’t share anywhere else: https://substack.com/@unwrittenchapte...

📚 Read my books:
A Medic’s Mind: https://a.co/d/fyBwpo1
Woven in War: https://a.co/d/6DlWdg6
Life After Loss: Reflections on Moments of Grace and Courage in Grief: https://a.co/d/2U4zSG4
Dream: Tales from the Pikes Peak Writers: https://a.co/d/cbi7A9n
Brainstorm Revolution: True mental health stories of love, personal evolution, and cultural revolution: https://a.co/d/gatLrby
A Version of Me: Askew's Word on the Lake Anthology 2024: https://a.co/d/iEON2Rw

🌐 Visit: www.amedicsmind.com
📸 Follow me: @UnwrittenChaptersPodcast on Instagram
Because the next chapter is still unwritten — and you don’t have to write it alone.

#Healing #PTSDRecovery #LifeLessons #MentalHealthMatters #EndTheStigma #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfCare #AnxietySupport #DepressionHelp #EmotionalWellness #Mindfulness #TherapyWorks #Wellbeing #PodcastLife #PodcastEpisode #PodcastRecommendations #Podcaster #PodcastCommunity #NewEpisode #PodcastAddict #PodcastShow #Podcasting #Podcasts #LifeAfterTrauma #OvercomingChallenges #Resilience #LifeStories #HealingJourney #MentalStrength #SupportSystem #TraumaRecovery #LifeTransitions #Empowerment