Psychiatrist Said Greg Matters Among the Unknown Fallen
Wednesday, October 9, 2013 @ 4:23 PM
Prince George, B.C.- "I don’t know why lethal force would even be considered" Those are the words of Dr. Greg Passey, Greg Matters’ psychiatrist, an expert on post traumatic stress disorder. Dr. Passey made the statement after testifying for several hours at the Coroners Inquest into the RCMP shooting death of Greg Matters.
Dr. Passey shared testimony about PTSD in general, and the Matters’ case in particular, pointing out the former soldier was contained on his property when the incident, which began as an altercation between siblings, escalated, ending in Greg Matters death.
Dr. Passey said after interviewing Greg Matters (at the request of Greg’s sister) he was left with the impression Matters suffered from chronic PT SD as well as a major depressive disorder, was in remission from extreme alcohol abuse and suffered from chronic pain.
Incidents while in the Canadian Armed Forces, an organization with a definite hierarchy in which one is supposed to feel safe, left Matters feeling as though he’d been treated unjustly.
In 1995 he was assaulted from behind in a washroom, and later he was beaten trying to walk home.
His illness would come to the forefront when triggered by things like confrontations, uniforms, a sense of not being heard, seeing injustice and being violated.
After leaving the service, Matters encountered problems with the legal system. He reacted with threatening e-mails to three different parties.
Passey said this was Greg Matters’ way of ensuring he would be heard.
He added, learning to deal positively with PTSD requires support from your family unit, something Matters got from his sister and mom, but his brother Trevor became another source of stress.
Nevertheless, Dr. Passey said Matters was making great progress, recently winning a court case involving his brother. With one more court date before him, Matters intended to follow that with a trip to Australia for a ‘Don Johnson’ make-over courtesy of his sister. Then he would pursue the psychology courses he intended to take.
The classes would have put him a few steps closer to beginning a new career, considering his only source of income was a monthly pension of $143 from Veteran Affairs.
Passey said considering the injuries Matters sustained while serving his country, he should have received more.
"For whatever reason I believe Greg fell through the cracks," he said. He classed Greg Matters as one of what he calls, the “Unknown fallen”, soldiers who have served, returned home with physical injuries, and often broken spirits . They are the ones who die not on the field of battle, but alone and often at their own hand because of the physical and emotional pain they are experiencing.
Dr. Passey, choked with emotion, paused when asked if Greg Matters death could be considered a suicide, “I’m sorry, I have lost many friends to suicide” said Passey as he paused to regain his composure “While Greg may have had suicidal thoughts in the past, he was not suicidal at the time of this incident. His comment that he was ready to defend himself, and die if necessary, is what all soldiers are taught to do.”
Passey said he believes there are several things that can be done so a better outcome can be achieved should a similar situation occur.
He suggested education in PTSD across the board for all police forces, adding if a stand-off happens someone the person trusts needs to be brought on-board, like the psychiatrist. Legal counsel should be provided and technology put into play so all aspects of the incident are video recorded.
Testimony continues tomorrow in the Matters inquest as more medical experts take the stand.
Comments
Not the same situation obviously, but I spent a fair amount of time managing people and the one thing that struck me was how little people regarded mental health issues as being “legitimate”.
Calling in sick with a cold or a flu was fine, but so help the Lord if someone called in because they needed a simple break from the workplace because of the stress they were experiencing either at home or at work.
I can also say with absolute certainty that BY FAR, the biggest negative impact on employee productivity was due to mental health issues. One can work through a cold, not so much with depression (not to mention the toll it can take on co-workers).
At some point we have to get over these stupid stigma’s we have about certain things and just figure out a way to help people who need it.
Should check out the post from the Citizen.
So Trevor goes onto Gregs property knowing he has a restraining order not to go on the property. Which instigated this whole situation.
Seems to me like a Bully picking on a vulnerable person, and when he gets retaliated upon he goes screaming to the school monitor.
There has to be more to this story than what is being told by the media and police.
Unfortunately, people with any mental disorder are usually shunned by co-workers and friends to put it bluntly and it is sickening to those who need someone to listen to them. It seems to be the “I don’t know anything about mental illness so I’m not going to associate with that person out of fear of the unknown”
Yes, police and other emergency personnel need courses in mental first aid and they’re not getting them which is frustrating.
There are a number people in jail who should be in a psychiatric hospital, however all governments across Canada have to share the blame in not providing for these individuals.
Quite a number of them have come to a place in their life at their own hand, either by using drugs or alcohol that’s fried their brains and yes we have to look after them which again is very frustrating.
Hopefully, this inquest will assist in recommendations to better assist police in dealing with these altercations but, coroner jury recommendations quite often fall flat. There are no teeth in inquest recommendations.
Unless Dr. Passey has received extensive training in police policies and procedures in these types of incidents he does not have the right to comment on the police response.
Would a member of the RCMP be allowed to comment on the level of psychiatric care that Greg received and be allowed to say that Matters was indeed suicidal. This inquest should keep focus on facts and not opinions.
Many posters have asked why he was not shot in the leg or something just to disable him but I think that police are trained to aim for center of body mass. All very sad but I for one do not think suicide by cop should be ruled out.
Sorry but this Psychiatrist is way WAY out of bounds and un-professional to say the things he did. Its his opinion and thats all as he was not present during the stand off, and make no mistake, it was a Standoff! If you dont want to have lethal force used…..then comply with the RCMP’s demands and not tell them your gonna shoot em?! There are literally thousands of folks walking PGs streets that suffer from some form of mental illness and the fact that this guy threatened people, was in court ALOT and had mental issues is NO excuse for his behavior just cuz he’s a Vet. Its this wet nanny approach to society that infuriates the Police as well as myself. Their on the streets to make it safer….NOT hold someones hand and counsel them on life and tell em its All gonna be ok! Greg Matters actions killed Greg Matters and now the family wants to make some $$ off it and say the RCMP acted injustly. Sorry, they did their job.
ewitt, I doubt that it was suicide by cop, but just playing it out. What forced him to this point. Was it because of his experience in Bosnia, or was it because he felt no support from being bullied.
Yes, it is sad about people suffering with mental illness. There are a lot of lost souls wandering around out there, feeling worthless. I am sure every family has them. I think the healthy people needs to be educated to help the ones who need the help and support. Stop the bullying.
So I guess that anytime an ERT unit is employed, that because of their training it ultimately will turn out badly
he spoke – its not Greg’s property its lorraines
he spoke – its not Greg’s property its lorraines
Knowledge 88, are you positive that the family is trying to make $$ off it. I think Lorraine would rather be poor and have her Greg back.
“Greg Matters actions killed Greg Matters”, I think the two bullets in his back killed Greg Matters. His mental status would have been known to the authority. I think that the Swat team made a tacticle error of not allowing a physc, or allowing his mother to talk down the situation.
What did the police do to a elderly woman to sustain injuries. Was there physical abuse, did they throw her to the ground like a rag doll? What did she do to deserve this? Did she try to assault an officer to deserve this? If so, what does a 65 yr old woman do to a group of fully armed swat team. Something is amiss.
I don’t think he was using his “vet” card. I think the IIO need to realize that he did not have to be executed, but just disemabled if he actually had the hachet in his hand. Whats wrong if you shoot him in the leg. doesn’t that diffuse the situation, and he gets the attention he needs from his physc, and still be here to have Thanksgiving dinner.
I know the history of the RCMP which is an illustrious one but fail to understand why the RCMP (P=Police) has to have so much of a culture of a paramilitary force, marching in lock step, parading in that manner etc rather then just being a civil uniformed police force.
Military culture has positive and negative aspects. Some of the negative ones are well known.
I don’t want to elaborate and I do not make any accusations but on the surface there seems to be a need for a re-evaluation of certain aspects, perhaps.
If ERT were again called into a situation where death threats have been made against police and upon arrival were approached by a person with a potential lethal weapon I guess the outcome could be similar, lethal threats are met by lethal force. Personally have not followed the case to have an informed opinion but feel that it would be a mistake to rule out anything at this point including suicide by cop. Dr. Passey’s is from Vancouver, when did he last speak to or see Greg as things could have gone quickly downhill from that point.
Sure, with undeniable question the bullets fired from a RCMP killed Greg Matters. But, the investigation needs to be looked at it lot deeper. Why did the police go there, that night. Didn’t it all start with a civil dispute between two brothers.
Why so much bad blood between the brothers. Sure there is always competition between brothers, but there had to be some other underlying issues that had resulted in a restraining order placed onto to the other brother who is alive. Why did he intentionally break the restraining order to enfringe on his brothers state of mind by popping donuts on his driveway.
Ah what the heck do I know. I just watch too much TV any way.
Good night,
it has been a pleasure.
We all know the RCMP history with lethal weapons! A certain stapler comes to mind! I’m sure in hind site the whole situation could of been avoided if the RCMP would of just backed off alittle….. just alittle. Too late for Greg but maybe not for someone else…..maybe.
It seems that the last people he communicated with were the folks at the Prince George Citizen.
He sure doesn’t sound like he’s contemplating suicide by any means, not mention by cop, in those emails.
I have an idea…..it might be out there a bit but how about people just comply with what the police are asking or telling them to do!!! Hands up, drop the weapon, come out, step out of the car, get on the ground etc etc. 9/10 of these situations would have good outcomes if the parties involved would just follow the direction of the officers. I guess an axe isn’t as scary as a gun but try to explain that to the officer or his family after he’s chopped to death because he tried to handle the situation with kid gloves. C’mon people, common sense and self responsibility should trump bleeding hearts in all these situations
In regards to He spoke,I’m a very close friend of the Matters Family, and the comment you left that properly got deleted in regards on your conspiracy theory with Trevor and the police is one of the most retarded comments I think I have seen on this site. Let me see no evidence of donuts, no evidence of impairment.lets keep the facts straight Trevor went to his mother’s driveway,turned around and left.Fact:Greg gave chase,Greg physically rammed Trevor 4wheeler in the ditch.Fact;off duty officer witnessed Greg at the scene.Really? I know Trevor personally and he does not have any mental issues that I’m aware, yet Greg does.Please use what little brain you have and figure it out yourself. I can’t believe you think that Trevor is responsible for Greg’s death.For turning around in his mother’s driveway!!!
For me, it never should have happened unless a cop was physically attacked; even then, shooting to kill is not warranted. I despise the new RCMP culture because it is bordering on Nazi ism. You haff papers???
It has also not been stated that the common law peace bond between the brothers was exponged (expired) at the time Trevor went on to the property so there was no active peace bond in place at the time of the incident. It has been said multiple times and no one has said anything to the contrary when it has been said.
The media has failed to add this bit of information.
Greg Matters served his country, killing his mental health, and all he gets for that is $143 per month. That’s disgusting.
“his only source of income was a monthly pension of $143 from Veteran Affairs”
Makes you want to jump right up and join our military doesn’t it.
Absolutely disgusting!!!
and shot twice in the back to boot. Cowards!
Knowledge88, your comment is pathetic! Sorry, but there’s no other way to say it!
Perhaps you would like to contact Robert Dziekanski’s mother to inform her that her son deserved to be attacked and tazered by 4, count them 4 members of the RCMP. He was not a threat to these “highly trained” peace officers. Instead of trying to diffuse that situation, these “peace” officers went in all gung ho and an innocent and confused man lost his life. To add insult to injury, these members then lied to cover their pathetic butts!
Would you like to speak to his mother so that you could tell her what a threat her son was to these officers? Really, would you??
Our illustrious RCMP has lost it’s way and has been taken over by a bunch of paramilitary wannabes who will tazer, cuff or assault anyone who dares to question their authority. Give a man a gun and he thinks he’s God!
If any policy officer is infuriated, as you put it, by a wet nanny approach, then I suggest that the member turn in his/her gun and badge and find another career! People shouldn’t die because a “peace” officer is infuriated!
The RCMP has many honourable and hard working members, but it also has it’s share of bad policies and bad members. Sadly, it is in desperate need of a complete overhaul from top to bottom. This must be done for the betterment of the RCMP and the citizens that they serve!!
You should hope and pray and be thankful that you never end up in Robert Dziekanski or Greg Matter’s shoes!
There are too many people on this site who comment publicly on what should be personal business of the Matters family.
They have enough to deal with.
To me the issue is:
Was it a righteous shooting?
Everything else is gossip.
metalman.
maybe i’ve missed further info related to this, but what about the fact this guy was shot twice in the back? which officer fired the shots? the one who matters ran at with a hatchet, or another member that saw it happen? if it was the member that was being charged at with a hatchet, how is it that this guy could have been shot in the back?
i agree in part with those that say if you don’t want to get hurt or killed by the rcmp, just comply with their demands. however, this doesn’t work quite so easily when the person being yelled at by rcmp has a serious mental illness or a combination of several. i know that matters had a reputation in criminal justice circles in this town, but he didn’t deserve to die. we need to prevent this from happening again. mandatory dashboard cameras please.
Bottom line is some cops should be taken to the bush and pounded for killing this guy simple is that.
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