‘They’re suffering in their basements’: PTSD awareness event held at Halifax Armoury

A fundraising event took place at the Halifax Armoury on Sunday aimed at creating awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding PTSD.

Event organizers hosted a 22 Pushup Challenge — the phenomenon that exploded on social media in 2016 and is still going strong.

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“We got challenged here in Halifax by my hometown Medicine Hat Alberta,” said organizer and singer/songwriter Jessie Tylre Williams, who has been hosting similar events across Canada.

“I came to Halifax with the same goals and initiatives — It’s for PTSD so we can abolish the stigma. Let’s get the conversations going and make it a fun day for the whole family to come out.”

Proceeds from the event are going towards the UN/NATO Group of Nova Scotia and the Society for Atlantic Heroes.

Roland Lawless, director of veteran outreach with the Society for Atlantic Heroes says the funds will go towards further developing a new housing initiative designed to give veterans, first responders and their immediate family members, a safe and cost-free place to stay while seeking treatment in Halifax.

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He said it’s the first phase in their plan to help as many veterans as possible.

“The hope is to have more apartments throughout the Atlantic provinces and create a centre in each province to get our heroes in for their treatments,” said Lawless.

“They’re suffering in their basements.”

The National PTSD Benefit Gala will be held in Halifax on October 21.