“Men’s Mental Health in the Fire Service: A Conversation Between Two Generations”

At our clinic, we believe that healing begins with honesty—and that real strength is found in vulnerability. In recognition of Men’s Mental Health Month (June), we’re honoured to sit down with two mental health advocates who embody both courage and candour: Joel, a veteran firefighter, and Nate; a mid-career firefighter with the Saskatoon Fire Department.

Joel brings over two decades of experience and a powerful story of survival through PTSD, addiction, and recovery. Nate, newer to the profession but no stranger to trauma, offers a refreshing and grounded perspective from the front lines of a changing fire service—one where openness and emotional resilience are becoming just as essential as physical strength.

In the high-stakes world of emergency response, showing emotion has long been seen as a liability. But what happens when the trauma builds up behind the scenes? What does it look like when a firefighter, trained to run toward danger, turns inward to face a different kind of fire?

In this raw and powerful reflection, Joel shares his journey through PTSD, addiction, and depression—and the road to recovery that followed. His story challenges the outdated ideals of masculinity that still linger in many professions and communities, and offers hope to anyone who’s ever felt like they had to “tough it out” alone.

Nate’s reflections echo that same courage—showing that even for today’s recruits, the pressures of the job are real, but the tools to handle them are evolving. Together, their voices tell a fuller story: one of healing, brotherhood, and the strength it takes to speak up.

This is more than a story about firefighting. It’s about breaking silence, dismantling stigma, and creating space for men to speak up about mental health.

Let’s dive in...

Welcome! How long have you worked as a professional firefighter & what drew you to the profession:

Nate: I’m 42 now, and becoming a firefighter felt like a natural fit. I was drawn to the quiet strength of helping others—maybe influenced by the superheroes I admired growing up. I started volunteering in EMS and rescue, and I realized I had a gift for connecting with people. I’ve been with the Saskatoon Fire Department for nearly 11 years now, and also serve on our Peer Support and Critical Incident Stress Management teams.

Before getting hired full-time, I worked EMS in rural Saskatchewan and at a mine doing safety and emergency response. It took four years after school to land the job I really wanted—and I don’t take it for granted.

Joel: I’ve been with the Saskatoon Fire Department for 22 years. Before that, I served as a paid-on-call firefighter in Meadow Lake and Nanaimo and fought wildfires across Saskatchewan.

 It’s no surprise that I became a firefighter. My dad, a school principal in a small town, once came home covered in soot after helping put out a grass fire. I didn’t understand the volunteer system at the time—I just thought, my dad’s a firefighter. And I wanted to be just like him.

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"The real lessons came when the fires I couldn’t

see started burning inside" - Joel

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When the Uniform Doesn’t Protect You

Nate: I wouldn’t say I’ve struggled deeply, but I’ve had moments. After a tragic water rescue, I became hyper-vigilant with my own kids around water. I had a panic response just seeing our rescue boat again. Talking to a coworker who felt the same helped me process it. That conversation mattered.

Joel: “Boys don’t cry" -- That was the mantra I grew up with in the ‘70s and ‘80s. It didn’t matter if you were hurt physically, emotionally, or mentally—tears weren’t an option. Our heroes were tough. Stoic. Broken, maybe, but still charging through fire—literally and figuratively—without ever showing vulnerability.

 In 2015, I was diagnosed with PTSD and alcohol use disorder. Years of trauma had caught up with me. I tried to tough it out—just like the action heroes I idolized. But no amount of silence or self-medication can fix what’s broken inside. That year, I started therapy, filed a mental health claim with WCB (before that was common), and began a long road to recovery. After a brief return to work, I relapsed in 2017 and checked into inpatient rehab at the Sunshine Coast Health Centre. I’ve been sober ever since.

In 2025, I took another 10-week leave for Major Depressive Disorder and sleep apnea. I like to joke that I combo my conditions, but the truth is, healing is never linear. What saved me? Knowing help was there if I asked for it—and that I wasn’t alone.

How I Stay Grounded Now

Joel: These days, I take care of my mental health with exercise, healthy food (okay, 90% of the time), and tools from therapy. I stay away from alcohol, and I try not to rely on quick fixes. If I’m overwhelmed, I ground myself, compartmentalize when necessary, and remind myself that stress is a normal reaction to an abnormal job.

Nate: I talk things through with my wife—she’s my emotional anchor. I also work out regularly and play video games to decompress. And when I need more support, I see a counsellor through our EFAP program. It keeps me grounded.

Changing the Culture—One Conversation at a Time

Nate: When I started, the peer support system was already in place—and it made a difference. We’ve grown a lot since then. New recruits are more open about mental health. I’ve also noticed that when women join the team, it shifts the dynamic in a good way—there’s more sensitivity, more openness. Diversity makes us stronger.

Joel: Firehouses used to treat mental health like a joke. If someone took time off to grieve or seek help, they’d come back to sarcasm and coffee mug jabs. But today? We’ve come a long way.

We now have proactive peer support teams, educational programs, and legislation that recognizes psychological injuries.

Colleagues reach out instead of pulling away. And while I don’t think the shift is solely because more women have joined the department, I do think societal change—and emotional literacy—is driving us forward.

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“The brain is like any other part of the body—it can get injured. And if you don’t take care of it, it gets worse.” - Nate

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To the Next Generation of Firefighters (and Men in General):

Joel: Build resiliency. Make it a habit. If something feels off, talk to someone. Whether a call haunts you or slides off your back, both responses are valid. None of this is normal—and pretending it is won’t make it easier. I've used everything: peer support, therapy, inpatient rehab. Each level helped in its own way, but only when I did the work. Was it hard? Absolutely. But firefighting is hard. And so is recovery—but it’s worth it.

Nate: The brain is like any other part of the body—it can get injured. And if you don’t take care of it, it gets worse. I’ve learned to watch my “stress cup”—when it’s full, I find ways to empty it. And I teach my kids that mental health support is just like going to a doctor.

And to your younger self?

Nate: Don’t ignore the signs. You don’t have to handle everything alone. It’s okay to ask for help—and it doesn’t make you any less capable.

Joel: Put down the Jack Daniel’s. You're not weak for feeling things. You're strong for facing them.

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“Healing is never linear. What saved me? Knowing help was there if I asked for it—and that I wasn’t alone.” - Joel

Men’s mental health doesn’t need to be silent anymore.

If you’re struggling, there’s help. Speak up. Show up. And take off the mask.

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Authors note:

To Joel & Nate—we want to extend our deepest gratitude. Thank you for your honesty, your bravery, and your willingness to share what so many still struggle to say out loud. Your story sheds light on the silent battles many men face and reminds us all—regardless of gender—that healing is not a weakness, but a powerful act of strength.

Thank you for showing us that it’s okay to feel, to struggle, and—most importantly—to reach out. We’re honoured to share your voice.

By taking off the mask and speaking openly, you’ve helped pave the way for others to do the same. Your words will resonate not only with first responders, but with fathers, sons, daughters, mothers, and friends—every person who needs to know they’re not alone.

And to the women in the fire service: thank you, too. Your presence and leadership have played a vital role in changing the culture around mental health—bringing emotional intelligence, compassion, and a new perspective into a space that long needed it. Progress isn’t made by one voice alone, but by many.

I just have one more question because us civilians rarely gain access to the inner dynamics of a firehouse. Can you share with our readers:

"What’s an unspoken rule in the fire department that you learned the hard way?"

Joel: Haha! Always log out of the computer that you were using.  If you don’t, you’ll most likely invite the entire shift over for a free steak bbq or ask the entire department where the cheapest snacks can be bought.

Nate: Never show that something bugs you. If you do, it’ll become the crew’s new favourite running joke. And hide your favourite snacks—or risk finding them chewed on “just for fun.”

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Change starts with stories like these—and continues with the conversations they spark.

Share your thoughts with Joel and Nate in the comment section below,

or pass this piece along to someone who might need it.

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