Former Medic Sharing Story for Bell Let's Talk Day

TORONTO - Jan. 14, 2020 - PRLog -- Since its launch in September 2010, Bell Let's Talk has partnered with more than 900 organizations providing mental health services throughout Canada, including major donations to hospitals, universities and other care and research organizations. This year, publisher Wintertickle Press, a company that specializes in books that share lived experiences of real Canadians dealing with mental health journeys, is doing its part by shedding light on mental health and our emergency workers.

A Medic's Mind is a memoir by Matthew Heneghan that was recently released, popping out in the #6 spot on Amazon Canada's Hot New Memoir list and was just long listed for the Miramichi Reader "Very Best Book" award. This first-person account chronicles Heneghan's life: from England to Canada, from boy to soldier, from soldier to paramedic and from mentally injured to seeing the possibility of purpose.

While serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, Heneghan was a pallbearer for the first Canadian medic to be killed in combat since the Korean War—Corporal Andrew Eykelenboom. After Heneghan's sorrowful and honourable duties, he and his team were addressed by General Rick Hillier.

Although never deployed with Eykelenboom or his other fallen comrades, Heneghan did suffer from the sinister symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and alcoholism. Great loss, sanctuary trauma, and survivor's guilt incubated his illness. After being honourably discharged, Heneghan entered the world of civilian paramedicine. This only served to layer on new and varied trauma onto his already injured psyche.

Heneghan masterfully tells his story of a tumultuous childhood, workplace trauma, loss of loved ones by suicide, suicide ideation and addiction. However, he was inspired to go even deeper into this incredibly personal story after Theo Fleury took notice of his blog through a Twitter post. Heneghan remarks, "I have always looked up to Theo. Not only was he a great hockey player, but I admire his courage for telling his story. He has inspired me to tell my own."

EMS Magazine posts, "Heneghan is a master of description, a sort of Picasso with words. He paints a picture that includes all the senses, allowing readers to experience life as if they were him." The Prairies Book Review states, "Heneghan writes with a disarming honestly . . . "

A Medic's Mind is available through Amazon, Indigo/Chapters/Coles and most independent bookstores.

On Saturday, January 25, between 11 am and 4 pm, Heneghan will be at Chapters Vega in Mississuaga for a book signing. To learn more about Matthew, please visit his site A Medic's Mind (http://amedicsmind.com/).

A Medic's Mind
by Matthew Heneghan
ISBN: 9781894813976
Wintertickle Press
Soft cover
280 pages