Terry Heafield suffered from depression and anxiety for years before he was properly diagnosed.
Now he treats his mental health condition just like he would any other sickness. He pays frequent visits to a psychologist and has made small adjustments to his daily routine.
But he worries that many other career firefighters like himself are quietly battling mental health issues without seeking treatment.
So on July 30, the Wodonga resident set off on his bike to visit every integrated CFA station in Victoria and talk to as many career and volunteer firefighters as he can about how they’re coping with their jobs.
His 2500-kilometre journey will see him visit 43 stations, including stops at Point Cook and Hoppers Crossing CFA bases next Saturday.
Mr Heafield attributes his depression and anxiety to years of exposure to bushfires, house fires, rescues and car accidents.
“I’ve been doing it for 15 years and while it’s a rewarding career, it certainly comes with a range of pressures which impacted on my mental health,” he said.
“I’ve had to work through some really dark times, which affected the way I interacted with my wife, Kylie, and our sons, Lachlan and Jake.
“I still see a psychologist regularly and treatment has really helped me to identify this is a real illness I need to manage every day.”
To follow Mr Heafield’s journey, visit his Facebook page www.facebook.com/Dontdoitalone2016/timeline.
