Post traumatic stress disorder PSA released
By Adnews Staff
The Tema Conter Memorial Trust has released a new television public service announcement intended to depict impact of post traumatic stress disorder on emergency care personnel such as paramedics, firefighters and police officers. According to the trust, people in such professions are two to three times more likely to experience this disorder than the general population, due to the emotionally traumatic situations to which they are regularly exposed. The 30-second ad was produced by Impact Communications Group of Halifax and Geneva Film of Toronto. It shows a man sitting at a table with his head in his hands while the sounds of car crashes, screams, gunshots and sirens play. The ad ends with the man's daughter telling him that it's time to go to work. The ad features a real-life paramedic and his daughter. It will be distributed nationally in English and French. "With this new commercial, we're hoping to make an emotional impact so that the public understands that this is a serious issue and people are suffering," said Howard Conter of the Tema Conter Memorial Trust. "Paramedics, their families and emergency organizations are all profoundly affected by post traumatic stress and that in turn affects the safety of our community."