I am an Advanced Care Paramedic in Ontario, with over 13 years of experience. I possess a Bachelor of Health Science in Paramedicine from Victoria University, for which I received the Outstanding Achievement Award in 2010. Along with being an educator with organizations such as Georgian College, the Sunnybrook Centre for Prehospital Medicine, and Simon Fraser University, I am an avid writer and have published articles in the Canadian Paramedicine Magazine and the Journal of Emergency Medicine (JEMS).
I was a member of the 1st Place Primary Care Paramedic Team at the Durham National Paramedic Competition in 2004, and am a trainer for the Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR) program with the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
I am a passionate mental health advocate as a post traumatic stress injury, addiction and suicide survivor. I endeavour to break down the barriers of mental health stigma by telling the story of my recovery at awareness events, and through this well as by sharing my peer support model, ‘Wings of Change’, across the Country.
I am also proud to have had I voice in the successful implementation of Ontario’s ‘PTSD Bill’, Bill: 163.
I love my career! It’s one of the best professions on earth, but sadly this profession will expose paramedics, as well as all other first responders, healthcare professionals and military members to traumatic events. I hope my blog will educate and help anyone with mental health illnesses (paramedic or not), and encourage them to talk and get help.
Let the journey…continue.
Paramedic Nat 
October 6, 2014 at 6:10 PM
I can barely get through this without balling. Nat I am so so very proud of you. I know many people that suffer with this in different ways. Your awesome coming forward. If I can ever do anything (even just a different ear) please do not hesitate. I love you Nat the rat! 🙂 [HUGS]
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October 6, 2014 at 7:21 PM
Wow, and raising children at the same time. Good going Nat
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October 6, 2014 at 7:22 PM
You are such a strong, remarkable lady Nat!! An inspiration to us all!!
xo
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October 6, 2014 at 8:47 PM
Very proud of you! You’re an amazing lady
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October 7, 2014 at 12:20 AM
Beautiful inside and out ! You’re so brave and inspirational xo Love you girly!
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October 7, 2014 at 1:17 AM
Thank You Nat.
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October 8, 2014 at 8:07 PM
Courageous blog, Thank You! I am listening and learning. You are a trailblazer and well needed at this time in history. xx
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October 11, 2014 at 5:01 PM
I have read your blog front to back, start to finish and gone back again.
It’s taken me on an emotional journey of my own, and I can’t help but see myself so many times.
Thank you for sharing, for having the strength to do it, and having the courage to move through this and heal. I will be checking in often to read. In between, stay strong, believe and be gentle with yourself 🙂
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October 17, 2014 at 9:45 PM
Natalie I’m so glad I stumbled across your blog. Although I don’t suffer from depression, I do have a few close people in my life who do. It isn’t easy for anyone involved but it sounds like you have an amazing support system and I hope that I give those close to me comfort in some way. I know that there were times during school when I felt like giving up, that I would never make it, that I was silly for ever thinking I could. But then, honestly, you would pop in my head. You were a true inspiration to me….a single mother with kids going through school…it honestly gave me the hope and determination to keep trying. Good luck on your journey.
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November 13, 2014 at 11:03 PM
I look forward to getting to know you and your story from your blog 🙂
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July 25, 2015 at 1:52 AM
Great to have a twitter follower like you @ahmedkabir31 🙂
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July 26, 2015 at 8:32 AM
Right back at ya! 🌺🌸
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September 25, 2015 at 6:19 PM
Hi Natalie,
I have only visited a few blog sites, so I’m not sure if this is the proper way to connect with you or if I will be stepping on someone else’s post…
I am a Canadian Paramedic and have been in the industry for 6 years now so I am starting to accumulate some strong experiences with the call volume. I also have a family history of mental illness so I have always felt hyper-aware of my psychological well being. I feel very open to asking for help when I notice calls have affected me emotionally, and I previously had coworkers who were interested in talking about things, so that was great. However sometimes I find myself wondering if I am still ok or if I’m having “normal” reactions, especially since I have moved and started working in a new place where those opportunities to share don’t seem the same as before. I had relief and appreciation for much of what I have read after finding your blog when a friend shared it on Facebook. Specifically when you wrote about your experience with having to go to court and see the face of someone from one of your more bothersome calls. I thought “wow…that’s going to be me in 1 month.” Something I have been thinking about since I got my subpoena…wondering how I’m going to do. What helps, is to now know where I can go to find insightful, positive information that I can relate to. I have already been intrigued to read about getting into meditation (since I have wanted to for a while), and learn about re-framing, being more openminded, etc.
I’m also so grateful to know that brave people like you are helping break down the stigma of mental illness and first responder PTSD. It truly is life saving information, that will only be available for those who need it if someone is willing to share.
Thank you for all that you have offered!
Sarah
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September 28, 2015 at 8:43 PM
Hi Sarah 🙂
Thank you so much for your wonderful post! I am so happy to hear that my blog has helped you.
I want to commend you for your amazing awareness of your emotions and willingness to ask for help. That fact alone puts you on the right path to maintaining your health and well-being.
I definitely encourage you to try meditation; you may find it a welcomed cleansing resource after testifying. It can ground you and prevent dissociation from reality which can happen after any traumatic event.
I’m so happy to hear that you know about reframing. What a gift that is.
As for whether or not your feelings after calls are ‘normal’, depends on the individual. However, if you read my post ‘A Paramedic’s Comfort’, you will see that I can relate to how things we see as paramedics are not normal at all, and how it’s so reasonable to think that our reactions to these calls will not be normal as well.
You sound like a wonderful person with a deep love for the field of paramedicine. I thank you for what you do and for helping to raise mental health awareness by sharing your beautiful post.
Let me know what you think of the meditation you try. Remember not to pressure yourself when practicing it. Baby-steps will still provide such benefits to your mind and body.
Best wishes!
~Nat
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December 28, 2015 at 4:41 PM
I am not a first responder but I can relate to a lot of what I read on your blog. I just wanted to tell you how much it has helped me to get thru some very difficult days. Getting past the stigma attached to mental illness is difficult at times. Following your blog is a big help in feeling that myself and many others are not alone. You are helping so many Natalie. Never forget the most important person to take care of is Natalie. Thanks so much.
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December 30, 2015 at 1:15 AM
Thank you so much for your kind comment! I am so happy to help. It’s my true pleasure to share my experiences and learn that they affect people in a positive way. I hope you are doing well! Thank you. And yes, I promise I am taking care of me.
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September 20, 2016 at 11:58 AM
Hi
I am looking for some information regarding a possible presentation could you contact me as I am not certain the best way to reach you?
Thank you
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September 21, 2016 at 8:51 PM
All i can say Natalie is that your the most AWESOME and INSPIRING Lady i have every know and i humbled to be your friend..XOXOX
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September 21, 2016 at 9:27 PM
Thank you my friend 🙂 You are always so kind to me.
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September 23, 2016 at 12:49 PM
Thank you for this.It’s like she walked into my head, sat down and expressed what I can not
really good
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September 23, 2016 at 1:27 PM
Hi Steven, Thank you so much for your message. I’m happy that you could connect with my story. Sending you love.
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October 1, 2016 at 4:39 PM
Hi Natalie, great blog. Have you connected with Sara Nesson? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojqLX3iyjSo
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October 5, 2016 at 4:10 PM
No I have not. Do you have her contact info?
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December 2, 2016 at 1:02 PM
Hi Natalie, wanted to connect with you about a presentation for provincial corrections.
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December 2, 2016 at 4:54 PM
Hello. You can email me at paramedicnat@hotmail.com Look forward to chatting!
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January 21, 2017 at 10:13 PM
Thank you so much for reaching out and making me feel more empowered at a time when I felt like I regretted reaching out for help.Thirty Five years in the field and I have coped with a lot, until one incident put me over the top. I feared people would think I was emotionally or mentally weak if I admitted it. Again, thank you for empowering those who suffer from PTSD.
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January 23, 2017 at 3:47 PM
Thank YOU Brook! Big hug!
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April 13, 2017 at 10:46 PM
Thank you for sharing your story. Although no 2 stories are ever the same, our experiences are quite similar. Suffering from somewhat mild PTSD, so I’ve been told, depressive tendancies and anxiety issues, I have not yet had the strength to begin to accomplish what you have and continue to numb myself in order to go on with my day to day. I’m lost and take everything day by day and try not to let the panic or crying interfere with work and I hide it at all costs. I can still perform my job, miraculously, without error or second guessing. Take care and best wishes.
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April 15, 2017 at 11:43 AM
Thank you so much for sharing. Best wishes and health to you as well! 🙂
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May 2, 2017 at 1:09 PM
I volunteer at a mental health recovery centre, REACH for Recovery and we do a Speaker Series the last Tuesday of each month and would love to have you share you story if at all possible. We are located in Lindsay.
Website with Contact information http://cmhahkpr.ca/programs-services/reach/
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May 3, 2017 at 7:51 AM
Hi Tim 🙂 Are you able to email me at paramedicnat@hotmail.com ? Thank you.
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July 11, 2017 at 6:37 PM
Nice blog paramedicnat – Medic myself for 20 years now. I started a blog recently for my own personal reasons. I have definitely been down some of the same paths as you with PTSD, stress, and burnout. Keep up the great work.
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July 14, 2017 at 6:41 PM
Hi Natalie. Thank you for sharing your personal story with mental health and your professional journey. It’s beautiful to see how you have turned this around to reach out and help others with mental health needs. While I have yet to achieve my qualification as a paramedic, I have worked in the ambulance service for a number of years and have seen the affects of ‘bottling up’ on those around me. It has certainly opened my eyes to the sheer vastness of the scale of mental health issues and how it can affect anyone. I look forward to learning more about you, your journey and the knowledge and advice you impart as a professional. Thank you again and all the best
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July 17, 2017 at 11:32 AM
Hi Chrissy 🙂 Thank you so much for your message. Wishing you all the very best in your career xo I’m happy that my blog has helped you in some way. ~Nat
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February 3, 2018 at 2:01 PM
I am so glad I got a chance to read your blog. What an inspiration. My husband is a paramedic and with me being bipolar he has definitely has been caring and understanding in ways that others have not. Even with his work load which can be close to 80 hours a week he now helps with everything arpund the house including the kids homework! Lol I am very lucky to have him and I do feel his profession has taught him to deal with my bipolar. Happy to be a paramedics wife!!
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April 15, 2018 at 1:54 PM
Hi Curtis. Thank you for your message. I look forward to meeting you in Collingwood. Thank you for your service to your community.
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May 25, 2018 at 7:39 AM
I was given a copy of your book and I can’t stop reading it. Laughed out loud as I read how you were dropped off at the maternity home – remembering how my dad did the same thing. Then some of the others things – between family and friends, faced so many of the same things. Looking forward to reading the rest of the book.
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May 26, 2018 at 2:44 PM
Hi Marilyn
Thank you for the message. I’m so happy you’re enjoying it.
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