Veteran ‘answers the call’ with national campaign on mental health
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An Afghanistan war veteran is bringing his mental health initiative to Brandon by hosting a community event about research and resources available to veterans and first responders on Sunday.
Paul Farrell is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran who served in the military for more than 10 years, including a tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2010.
He left the service because of his post-traumatic stress disorder and struggled to access support where he lived in Ontario at the time.
Paul Farrell, a Canadian Armed Forces veteran and founder of the AfterGlo Wellness Society, will bring his mental health initiative Answer the Call to the West End Community Centre in Brandon on Sunday. (Supplied)
Farrell, 45, said his lived experience motivated him to launch the non-profit AfterGlo Wellness Society.
“I’m connecting with veterans, first responders and their families in the community for a conversation on mental health and the future of mental health here in Canada,” Farrell said in an interview last week.
AfterGlo leads community events, advocates for mental health support and lobbies governments at the provincial and federal levels to increase research capacity for emerging mental health treatments.
Answer the Call is the organization’s national campaign. During the next two months, Farrell will partner with community-based businesses to host mental health clinics with resources, presentations and discussions across the country.
The program will be in Brandon on Sunday from 1-6 p.m. at the West End Community Centre. The event is free.
“This was a top priority to come to Brandon and get that conversation going so we can get that outreach where it’s required,” Farrell said, citing Brandon’s proximity to the Canadian Forces base in Shilo.
“This is open to everybody. We have everybody in one room having a great conversation (and) getting the resources to the community,” Farrell said.
Local partners at the event will include the Brandon Police Service, Brandon Fire and Emergency Services, Paws 4 Valour and several Brandon-based mental health professionals, Farrell said.
“I’m not coming in here assuming what Brandon needs … or the needs of veterans or first responders on the ground there,” he said.
“(Brandon has) doctors and local organizations that are working with the community, so I’m showcasing them and the great community that you guys have.”
Farrell said the national project is meant to build a long-term community network across the country and break stigmas associated with mental health supports and treatments — like psychedelic treatments.
When living in Ontario after leaving the Armed Forces, Farrell couldn’t access mental health treatment that suited his needs, so he moved to B.C., where he was able to try psychedelic treatment through the federal Special Access Program.
“We are talking about MDMA, we’re talking about mushrooms, we’re talking about stuff that is still illegal in this country,” Farrell said.
“I’m not saying this is for everybody, but at the end of the day, veterans and first responders need these options,” he said.
Doctors and researchers will be discussing psychedelic research and options for PTSD and other mental health disorder treatments at the event.
Farrell said he hopes the event will spark conversation around mental health research and resources across Canada.
» rgerrard@brandonsun.com