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Todd Doherty receives 2017 Public Service Award

Private Member’s Bill calls for a national strategy for PTSD
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On Nov. 2, Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty received the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA) 2017 Public Service Award.

The OPA Award recognizes the work done by public officials to help the most vulnerable – those individuals and their family members who suffer from behavioural and developmental problems including PTSD, chronic occupational stress and addictions.

“I am truly honoured and humbled in receiving this award. Although, I struggle with accepting an award when we have so many that are still suffering in silence, so many that feel that taking their own life is the only way out of the pain,” says Doherty.

“I will continue to use whatever platform is afforded to me to ensure those who are suffering know it is OK to say, ‘I am not well,’ it is OK to ask for help and that the help they seek will be there in their time of need.”

OPA chief executive officer Janet Kasperski wrote: “You are truly a political superstar whose innate sense of caring for others shines through in all that you do.”

Doherty’s Private Members Bill, C-211, calls on the federal government to develop a national strategy for PTSD. It currently sits at second reading in the Senate.