A former police officer who ruled the mean streets of Redfern, and the infamous Block, will be in Tamworth on Wednesday to share the moving story of his harrowing journey into Post Traumatic Stress and back.
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Former Senior Sergeant Jeff Garland can pinpoint the exact job that sent him into a downwards spiral towards suicidal thoughts, and fortunately can pinpoint the exact therapies and methods that have allowed him to overcome the condition and get back on his feet.
After trying to execute an arrest Mr Garland soon found himself in the tray of a speeding ute on a busy Sydney street with the assailant swerving wildly and ramming other cars to try and throw him out.
“I was trying to decide whether to shoot him or not – I didn’t want to because he was still in control of the car,” Mr Garland said.
“Finally I smashed the back window with my gun and threatened to shoot him, fortunately he pulled up and ran into a building full of police and was arrested.”
“I had signs and symptoms of PTS before that day, although that event was the final straw.”
Mr Garland doesn’t refer to the condition as PTSD, “because I don’t see it as a disorder – it is only a diagnosis.”
“The most important message is that PTS is not the end of your career or life.”
Mr Garland is living proof of that, recovering through Neuro Linguistic Programming and other therapies to not only gain his livelihood back, but also re-join the force as a serving officer for another ten years before deciding to hang it up and focus on helping other emergency workers in similar situations.
He will be at the PCYC at 10am Wednesday to share his experiences.
- Lifeline 13 11 14
