PTSD:Firefighter reveals pain to help save others

Lieutenant Larry Rusk of the Ottawa fire department is fighting the stigma of post-traumatic stress disorder, which he experienced after fighting a fire where two children died, then being trapped in a burning building later on.
Jana Chytilova, The Ottawa Citizen

Firefighter reveals pain to help save others
Acting Capt. Larry Rusk was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after a number of difficult experiences on the job. He hopes the story of his recovery will break the 'macho' barrier and let other professionals know they are not alone.
The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Sunday, October 05, 2008
OTTAWA - Daniel Alfredsson's game may motivate kids to pick up a hockey stick, but when the Ottawa Senators captain became a champion for mental illness in June, he also inspired a veteran Ottawa firefighter to write a letter.

In early 2007, Acting Capt. Larry Rusk was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stemming from his work. He was just coming off nine months of intense therapy when he heard Mr. Alfredsson on the radio discussing the launch of the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health's "You Know Who I Am" campaign, aimed at easing the stigma of mental illness.

It was an issue close to Mr. Alfredsson's heart, since his sister suffers from mental illness, which affects one in five people.