Warning: This article contains mentions of suicide. Fifteen years in the Canadian Armed Forces. Eleven surgeries during and post-service. Deployments to Afghanistan and Africa and missions in Iraq. Retired Master Cpl. Gordon Hurley saw it all during his time in Canada’s special forces, especially in Afghanistan. “We did massive heavy lifting with our nation’s actual size of our forces to the mission set. We punched way above our weight class,” said Hurley. “We did the same thing when we were in Iraq and that’s something that’s not really spoken about. The amount of work that was put in to free the people of ISIS [Islamic State of Iraq and Syria] was quite astonishing.” The airborne light infantry reconnaissance patrol man and joint terminal attack controller experienced post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD], substance use disorder, suicide ideation and a suicide attempt in 2015. “I just hid it because I said I was a special forces guy,” said Hurley. “It’s very prevalent. I speak from unfortunately a lived experience viewpoint on it.” When the fighting was over and the mission was completed, Hurley said the aftermath of combat and being in harm’s way doesn’t catch up to you right away. “The problem starts when it’s that amount of pressure and amount of stress and amount of loss, injuries, war over a period of time that wears on a human being and then slowly you start to see the cracks and then all of a sudden you’ll see the big disaster, which unfortunately usually presents as a suicide or suicide attempt,” said Hurley. Now, he’s advocating for alternative medical treatments, specifically psychedelic drug-assisted therapy, to help veterans with PTSD and other post-service health issues. He travelled to Ottawa on Oct. 21 to lobby the government for legislative change to provide funding for medical therapies using psychedelic drugs, such as ketamine. According to the federal government’s website, possession or production of ketamine is illegal unless authorized for medical purposes. Originally from Ontario and now living in Moncton, Hurley is working with people who are trying to solve the issue of poor mental health, suicide and the opioid crisis. “What they came up with was something that where we can create a partnership between Veterans Affairs Canada, Health Canada and then down to our provincial health-care systems, leading with Alberta who already has in their health-care system infrastructure for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy,” said Hurley. He’s seen results first-hand and is convinced psychedelic assisted therapy can help veterans and first responders. Advance Force Operations, a five-part documentary he co-produced, premiered on YouTube Nov. 6. During an interview with CTV News last week, Hurley cited examples of psychedelic drug therapies being researched in Texas and the legalization of some psychedelic drugs in Australia to treat PTSD. “There’s no reason for us to be behind,” said Hurley. “If we can help someone who is hurting or doesn’t feel whole or needs to have some acceptance because they’re near death or they’re dealing with cancer or something very severe that they should be offered something that makes sense.” Having spoken at Parliament, he feels like his voice is being heard and said there’s been an overwhelming amount of support coming from different walks of life. Master Cpl. Serge Hébert, another Afghan vet from Moncton, decided to travel to Ottawa to show his support for Hurley. “It was one of those ‘practice what you preach.’ I was looking at Gordo’s content and I really believe in what he was doing and wanted to support the possibility of alternative options for medical treatment for our veterans, brothers and sisters,” said Hébert. Hébert spent his 16-year career with the military police and as a medic. The two men didn’t serve together in Afghanistan, but met a few years ago and share a common bond and a belief in more therapy and assistance for veterans. “We’re all struggling in a way or another. It may present differently. Some people are a lot better at hiding it than others. That’s why it’s important for us to stick together,” said Hébert. “I tend to think of a few soldiers that have crossed my path along the way. I think about them and I’m grateful for their contributions, sadly.” Hurley admits he feels Afghan vets like himself are often forgotten about and would like to see more funding for soldiers after their service is complete. “We don’t have a VA [Veterans Affairs] hospital like the States. We don’t have a primary health practitioner when you leave the military,” said Hurley. As for what Remembrance Day means to him? “It’s confusing. I’m still working through it, but I think with the platform I have and the work I’ve done on myself, maybe not spiritually, but on the inside to be OK with all of this and maybe actually show some leadership and actually wear the medals, go to the thing, be out there, be a public voice and talk about these things because if we’re not then it’s just going to keep going,” said Hurley. If you or someone you know is in crisis or struggling with mental illness, here are some resources that are available: Canada Suicide Crisis Helpline (Call or text 988) Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (1-800-463-2338) Crisis Services Canada (1-833-456-4566 or text 45645) Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) If you need immediate assistance call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
