Ex-RCMP member battling PTSD says force refuses to give him long-service award

A former member of the RCMPwho is battling PTSD says the force is refusing to award him a long service award because his illness prevents him from attending the award ceremony to receive the medal in person.

Mark Clementswas invited to a J DivisionHonours and Recognition Ceremony that took place in Moncton on Jan.10 but said, with the support of his doctor, he made the decision not to attend.

"I knew I wouldn't be able to attend it due to my PTSD and anxiety," he said. "All that wonderful stuff that I got over the last 25 years from being a member."

Clementssaid he was diagnosed with PTSD a few years ago. He took a seven-month break from work andwhen he returned tothe Codiac detachment he said he still wasn't well enough to be there. He retired in February of 2016.

Unable to attend ceremony

In late December 2016, after receiving the invitation, Clements said he sent a letter to the RCMP asking the medal be mailed to his home in Moncton, stating, "I am unable to attend such events."

He was asked to clarify his reasons for not attending the ceremony, with a reminder that, "retired members will only be invited once and failure to attend will be deemed as having declined."

Clements turned to his psychologist for help. Though the force is aware of his PTSD, he asked psychologist Christine Arsenault-Boudreau to explain that for medical reasons he wasunable to attend the ceremony.

According to an e-mail chain Clements provided to the CBC, the RCMPallowed for a break in protocol. He was offereda medal presentation in an alternate setting, receiving the award from either Codiac Supt.Paul Beauchesneor Sgt.Maurice Comeau.

But Clements maintains he didn't want to have to meet with any RCMP officers.

"Say if I was an alcoholic, don't go into a bar,so with my anxiety I steer away from things that are going to be harmful to me," he said.

"They've already been told it is a detriment to my mental health, but that's where they have left it."

No one from theRCMP was immediately available for comment.

Speaking out is difficult

Becausehe missed the ceremony Clements isn't sure if or when he'll receive the award, but he is convinced the whole ordeal was far more stressful than necessary.

"It could have been simply dealt with byputtingit in the mail," he said.

"With PTSD on the forefront all the time, we see it in the RCMP, in the military, just anyone from any walkof life that dealt with traumatic issues and everyone is talking about mental health and the force says 'we're making changes' and ... they're not."

Clementssaid speaking publicly about his problems with the RCMP is difficult.

"I'm doing it because I know it will be beneficial to me and for other people and to show my family what I stand for."

'25 years of good service'

Debby Clements has been married to Mark throughout his entire career with the RCMP. She's all too aware of how hard life can be for families struggling with PTSD.

"It was scary, and I think every family has had those scary points withPTSD," she said.

"We've lost friends to suicide in the past year within the force, it's 'who's next' often in our mind, 'who's next'."

Debby Clementssaid she's frustrated that her husband is still dealing with a lack of flexibilityon the part of the RCMP, even after retirement.

"He's given 25 years of good service, and [his 20 year certificate]says,good service and they weren't easy years for him or any of us and he deserves to have that award given to him," she said.