The grieving continues after tragedy struck this week in the small community of Upper Big Tracadie, Nova Scotia
RCMP say two women, ages 52 and 31, a 10-year-old girl, and a 33-year-old man were found dead inside a home ion Tuesday night…It’s believed they were the victims of a murder suicide..
All four died of apparent gunshot wounds and the man’s wounds appear to be self-inflicted.
The Canadian Armed Forces has confirmed the man was Lionel Desmond, who had been based at CFB Gagetown until his release in 2015.
The Armed Forces say Desmond enrolled in 2004 and was deployed to Afghanistan from January to August 2007.
On social media, relatives said he was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.
Vince Savoia is an expert in work-related mental health and wellness..and has worked with many suffering from PTSD. He says violence is not a common trait, “That is extremely rare and out of character. I’ve been involved in this now for 16 years, and in that time, I have only heard of two incidences where somebody with the diagnosis of PTSD reverted to violence.”
Savoia says individuals tend to suffer from flashbacks, and nightmares, “But what is really most common with PTSD, is the individual wants to isolate. He or she does not want to be amongst friends, and end up isolating themselves, away from family and friends. It has to do with a feeling of guilt and a sense of shame, for experiencing what they have experienced. There is still a very strong stigma around any sort of traumatic mental injury and one coming forward and asking for help.”
He adds this is a common amongst members of the Canadian Armed Forces and emergency responders, because many are afraid to come forward and get the help they need.
