screemgrab-e1439306751419-878x494(Submitted by Simon Druker) Witnessing a terrifying event can lead to flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and even suicide.

In an effort to reduce the stigma around post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a number of current and former Mounties are sharing their stories.

A 13-minute video posted on YouTube(posted below) features nine current and former RCMP officers and civilian employees, recounting how they dealt with PTSD.

“It began to manifest in different areas. It started off with hyper-vigilance, feeling switched on, always on guard. It didn’t make a lot of sense because I would be scared when I shouldn’t be scared,” says Const. Paul Glennie.

The video itself is dedicated to former Manitoba dog handler Cpl. Ken Barker, who committed suicide in 2014. In it, current and former mounties reveal their plight.

“My PTSD was caused by one specific incident, which was the murder of a colleague. Many of my co-workers were also affected but were just not talking about it. So I think the isolation that followed, helped my PTSD to grow,” says Const. Annabelle Dionne.

“My PTSD was caused by responding to the violent death of a child,” says Const. Ariane Muirhead.

“My PTSD was a result of numerous critical incidents I was involved in. I dealt with death and destruction all the time,” adds retired Cpl. Lloyd Brownell.

PTSD cases have become increasingly prominent, with several first responders like Barker, eventually taking their own lives.

New Brunswick Mountie Ron Francis accused the RCMP of not addressing PTSD before taking his life last fall. The video is an attempt to open up the conversation.

” People at stores ask you ‘How are you doing today?’ and a lot of times, I’ll just lie to them and say ‘Good,’” says Const. Tim Martin.

Those in the video hope one day, that will no longer have to be the case.

https://youtu.be/Y-JJR87GRHo